English - Convention on Biological Diversity

Key threats Specific issue Statusout regular crop improvement using genes from localtraditional varieties, especially with regard to rice andmaize. In contrast. This aspect has not been as adequatelydealt with for livestock, although documentation oftraditional breeds commenced some time ago.Traditional varieties and wild relatives of rice, grains, yams,fruits, spices, vegetables, etc. have been conserved withinthe research institutions of the Agriculture Department andthe Plant Genetic Resources Centre, and is made available tofarmers in small quantities for propagation.PollutionLoss of associated traditionalknowledge with the loss oftraditional varieties of cropsdeveloped over thousands ofyears.**Soil erosion and loss ofbiodiversity among soilorganisms.*Pollution of inlandfreshwater and coastalwetlands (i.e. lagoons,estuaries) and associatedmarshes due tocontamination withfertilizers, pesticides,weedicides, sewage,chemical compounds fromshrimp farms in coastalareas, and dumping of solidand untreated industrialwastes.* +Pollution of beachecosystems by use asdumping grounds for solidwaste.* +Pollution of lagoons andestuaries.* +Release of waste oil and tarfrom ships into coastalwaters and accidental oilspills. +The solutions to this problem has been looked into at lengthduring the preparation of the Addendum, but has not beenadequately addressed as yet.Soil conservation is governed by the Soil Conservation Act ofNo. 25 of 1951 as amended in 1996. Enforcement by the DOAis, however, inadequate. DOA is promoting organic farmingfor rice and horticultural crops on a pilot scale in a bid toreduce the over-use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides andweedicides. Several exhibition centres have been set up tocreate awareness among farmers.The pollution of inland waters with agrochemicals, sewageand industrial effluents is addressed by various laws, but thisproblem continues due to weak enforcement. Reduction ofindustrial pollution is addressed by the NationalEnvironmental Act amendment Act No. 56 of 1988 whichmakes Environmental Pollution Licences mandatory for allindustries. However, monitoring is poor after the license isgiven. The DOA is attempting to wean people away frominorganic to organic fertilisers and pesticides (see above), butthese efforts are slow in reaching the farmers due toinsufficient extension effort at the provincial level. This ismainly because agricultural extension has been decentralisedand is now under the respective provincial agriculturalministries, while the research institutes that engage in pilottesting initiatives such as organic farming are under thecentral administration.This is addressed in the Coastal Zone Management Plan of2004, but it continues in some areas due to inadequateenforcement of the Coast Conservation Act. The MoENR haslaunched a major project to address the problem ofunsanitary dumping of solid waste.This is addressed in the Coastal Zone Management Plan(CZMP), but the problem continues in some areas. This ismainly because implementation of the CZMP involves a largenumber of stakeholders.This problem is addressed in the Coastal Zone ManagementPlan. The Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (MPPA) thathad a mandate in this regard has been now strengthened andrenamed as the Marine Environment Protection Agency.Human - wildlifeconflictsThe disruption of continuousstretches of forest andThis problem has been of long-standing and has resulted inaggravating the human-wildlife conflict in Sri Lanka. TheFourth National Report to the CBD: Sri Lanka 50