Food habits which lead to obesity and poor health need radical change
View(s):By Sunimalee Dias
The government is to adopt severe measures to address issues pertaining to climate change, according to President Maithripala Sirisena. The government has drafted a national policy on climate change in the past 18 months, he said, adding that today people have understood responsibility towards the environment. These observations were made while addressing international delegates and local participants including those from over 60 countries and environmentalists at the ‘Sri Lanka Next Blue Green’ Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday at the BMICH in Colombo. Commenting on the recent floods and drought that prevailed in the country, he pointed out that this situation was not unique here. Sri Lanka, which became party to the Paris Agreement on climate change and global warming this year, is looking at generation of electricity from natural resources, the President said, pointing out to the availability of natural resources like sun, sea and wind power and strong currents from waterfalls.
He awarded renowned environmentalist and lawyer Jagath Gunawardena with a lifetime achievement trophy for his contribution to the industry. In addition at the conclusion of the awards the President himself was awarded a green award for his efforts towards the environment. A number of other awards were given to various business and state establishments for their efforts to create a green working environment. During the parallel session at the International Symposium on Forest Valuation, Herath Gunatilake of the Asian Development Bank asserted that there was a need to look at reforesting the cities as opposed to simply places like Sinharaja and Muturajawela. Forest cover has a huge role to play, he said adding that as 70 per cent of the population in Asia lives in cities, trees in cities can reduce energy environment by about 10 per cent.
He also detailed methods of obtaining valuations on the forest cover based on the demand to visit the sites and the gains made by the use of the resources at these locations. Mr. Gunatilake pointed out that governments and environmentalists should look at taking on investments from the private sector to assist in the development of this sector. “We need to look at a financial and fiscal balance when public finances are utilized,” he said and explained that the failure of the Western wetland improvement project in Muturajawala by the ADB was due to a lack of mobilisation of the private sector through innovative approaches like wetland banking systems. Another paper submitted for discussion at the symposium was that on “Recognising Forest Ecoystem Services and Benefits,” by three officials from the International Water Management Institute and presented by Ms. Priyanie Amerasinghe.
She highlighted that Sri Lanka could assess both the direct and indirect value of forests and thereby create awareness and educate the public on the importance of such cover. In addition, Ms. Amerasinghe explained that a payment system could be established for obtaining the services of the eco systems or create an alternative to obtaining these resources from the forests to ensure continuance of the livelihoods of people dependent on the forests. Further she pointed out that Sri Lanka could also engage people by providing legal rights to and involving them in managing the eco system services. At the expert dialogue forum, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana thera addressing a select group of farmers from around the country commented on the changing food culture in the country stating that that as a result of this the next generation has taken a dislike towards the traditional foods.
A complete overhaul of the food culture was required since Sri Lanka continues to consume food items like “Ajinomoto” which is banned in Europe that is bad for health, he said. In addition, special children’s foods available in supermarkets were injurious to the health of the young ones since these contained large amounts of sugar contents. Moreover, the present food culture has led to children becoming fat and round whereas Sri Lankan children are generally thin and there is no harm in being this size, he said. Certain insects have been destroyed due to the constant use of pesticides and this is bad for the eco systems, he said.
A change in the manufacture of food is required, Ven. Rathana Thera explained and asserted that farmers need to re-look at how fertiliser, weedicides and pesticides should be utilised in the 500,000 hectares of paddy fields around the country. The exhibition during the conference days showcased how people could act in an environment friendly manner in society in addition to an interesting vehicle display by BMW and an electric three-wheeler manufactured by a Sri Lankan launched on Monday. Sri Lankan aborigines, the Veddhas were also present selling their wares like elephant tusks in the form of pendants and rings at the exhibition. A gem and jewellery exhibition was also on display that also showcased on site how gem stones were polished.