Disaster Management 

By Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda-August 9, 2017, 7:24 pm

We hear much about the human-elephant conflict. It is believed that elephants are mightily scared of honey bees. Thailand exploits this cannily. Bee boxes are located around desired areas, at suitable intervals and on stands then strung together by rope. Elephants attempting to cross over upset the hives and are met by irate bees. Elephants, being good learners, keep away. This is less costly, useful and more effective than electric fences!

Trees are aesthetically pleasing, and so employed by good architects. The British exploited this, by encouraging them for street lining. Incidentally, some of these are too big and hazardous and in need of replenishmen

I have always been intrigued by our having a ‘Ministry of Disaster Management rather than one for ‘prevention’ or ‘mitigation’."Management" implies continuity, control, regularity, reliability, balance as a resource for progressivity and profit. Perhaps the logic may be that considering our encountering alternating droughts and floods at progressively regular, alternating, and diminishing intervals, ( sometimes of less than one month), some level of ‘management’ is necessary – primarily to prevent confusion and overlap.

Globally, scientists have predicted an intensification of natural disasters – mainly floods and droughts – as a result of global warming. There is no great impact that a small country can contribute to global concerns. But, there is much we can do to prepare ourselves for likely future events. As a small island in the Humid Tropics, we could at least contribute by not being a positive contributor to disaster. It is not being selfish, to focus on what we can adopt to cushion ourselves and so contribute our mite to the over-arching global issue. It would not do to be obsessed with global issues while neglecting our own backyard. The most recent projection that increased Temperatures are predicted, by the next century, to kill some one-fifth of the population – mainly in South Asia, should stir us up to swift action. We ourselves have noted that even Nuwara Eliya is now virtually Dry Zone, that corals and mangroves have been ravaged, that the forests have dwindled and the sea choked with waste and polythene. With our relatively benign climatic factors, our failure to cope is no less than a disgrace.

It is evident that a well coordinated, competent and consistent effort will possibly help us to down very many birds with one stone. Let me deal with a few selected subjects that will illustrate the point. The following, should find general agreement as being priorities:

Droughts and floods and forest destruction together, indicate poor water management. The Netherlands has a long tradition of flood control and land restoration and Israel a stellar record in combating drought and managing water. Both would be ready to help us. Our annual precipitation is generous. In Tropical conditions, I believe that any tree is better than no tree, with very few exceptions. If such trees provide other benefits so much the better! Bamboo forests and plantings along stream banks for consolidation, gums, mahogany, jak, breadfruit and other fruits – the list is endless. The "invasive" Prosop is now on coastal dunes is a self-perpetuating, promising candidate for small thermal power units. Utilization is better than attempting eradication.

Droughts, now causing untold suffering to poor farmers can be relieved, at least somewhat, by regular de-silting of Dry Zone tanks. This operation can best be done during dry spells. The removed material has use for landfills and is so loaded with nutrients that it may even have value as fertilizer. There are of course concerns that high contents of heavy metals could aggravate CKDU. But this has to be established and remedied. Rainwater collection to enhance supply and drip irrigated agriculture to conserve can usefully fit in. Regarding increasing storage in tanks by de-silting, if appropriate uses are found for the silt removed, the costs may even be met by contracting with the private sector. This may help reduce the present sand smuggling practices. Can it also be useful for layering urban garbage?

We hear much about the human-elephant conflict. It is believed that elephants are mightily scared of honey bees. Thailand exploits this cannily. Bee boxes are located around desired areas, at suitable intervals and on stands then strung together by rope. Elephants attempting to cross over upset the hives and are met by irate bees. Elephants, being good learners, keep away. This is less costly, useful and more effective than electric fences!

Trees are aesthetically pleasing, and so employed by good architects. The British exploited this, by encouraging them for street lining. Incidentally, some of these are too big and hazardous and in need of replenishment. Trees also function like outdoor air-conditioners. If all unutilized urban patches are planted with trees, a massive cooling effect is likely. They are also valuable as Carbon sinks and for retention of suspended particulate air pollutants.

I remember being chastised by a boss for being ‘a dreamer’. I was hurt and offended at the time. Now I realise that it was really a compliment and an asset of which I am now proud. The current piece is its manifestation!