WATER
The needs of nature and people
Sri Lanka is lucky that she dose not have to share water with any other country. Hence she is able to manage her water resource and minimize environmental hazards. If we are to preserve the natural beauty of Sri Lanka we have to manage our water resource well.Sri lanaka is called, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, because of her shape and natural beauty.
There are two aspects to water management; firstly to allocarte water to the environment according to the environmental demands, secondly to suppy the human requirement of water for agriculture, industry, power generation domestic work.
Excessive removal of water from rivers, tanks and other water ways has exposed bird, animal, fish, and plant species to danger. It alohas threatened the live lihood of farmers and fishermen. Many people depend on river water for drinking, cooking, washing, and for various other uses. When the supply of water for irrigation is interrupted, the farmers cannot cultivate their lands and inland fishing will not be possible.
The flow of water keeps the ecosystem healthy and productive.
Dr.Validimir S makhtin,the principal researcher at the international water management institute (IWMI) based in Colombo, points out that the water flow has to very at different times of the years, to maintain the good health of the ecosystem. According to the IWMI the environmental needs are not being met as too much of water is being removed.
The policy makers should pay greater attention to the over exploitation of freshwater. They must recognize the need to allocate water for the main tenance of the environment. The water wastage must be controlled. They must also monitor the flow of water and pay greater attention on finally they must take steps to maintain the ecosystem.
M.D.Hrashani Pradeepika
Pradeepika6@gmail.com
Harshani.pradeepika@yahoo.com
