28 March, 2024

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Looking Through The Environmental Lens Of Unregulated Tourism

By Piyumani Ranasinghe

Piyumani Ranasinghe

The story of Sri Lankan tourism is now turning out to be one of misadventure than satisfaction, given the unregulated nature of the entire enterprise and the resulting environmental consequences. Although, the post-war era has witnessed a boost in the island nation’s tourist industry in general, it continues to exist as an untapped economic potential according to the 2017-2020 Tourism Strategic Plan (TSP) drafted by the Ministry of Tourist Development and Christian Religious Affairs. The plan mainly highlights that, the country is missing opportunities in increasing investment and employment within tourism which hinders its ability to utilize tourism revenues to conserve the environment and sustainably support local communities. Quite alarmingly, it also translates into the country lacking a long-term view of sustaining the industry, balancing the socio-economic carrots (such as revenue and employment opportunities) with the economic externalities, such as environmental costs. 

Interestingly, the TSP has recommended actions and implementation mechanisms aiming at a four-year plan, with a panoramic view of the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals (UNSDGs) and ecotourism. It also highlights the importance of a collaborative role engulfing all stakeholders concerned: government, investors, communities, visitors etc. However, a plan only looks good on paper if actions are yet to be successfully implemented. This includes mechanisms for continuous monitoring as well as evaluation. It should be borne in mind that any case of mismanagement can lead to consequences that outlive the momentary enjoyment of pristine environments. Although the task of environmental protection is not an exclusive job at the hands of the government or one stakeholder per se; the government holds direct as well as indirect responsibility to environmental costs incurred within the industry as it is the main regulatory body. The unattractive cross-section of unregulated tourism, not only raises the red flag of environmental degradation, but also pinpoints at the economic liabilities it incurs on the industry in the longer run. 

Ecotourism in Sri Lanka: An attempt of Green-washing?

Ecotourism is the lucrative trend within the industry that entertains visitors within natural and relatively undisturbed environments. The Nature Conservancy and the World Conservation Union have defined ecotourism as the “environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact, and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local people.” In this way, although ecotourism can enhance economic development; conservation of protected areas by providing local employment and community ownership; and generate revenues to sustainably manage protected areas; without careful planning and management in balancing ecological, social, and economic objectives, the impact on the environment can be cataclysmic. The absence of planning, implementation and consistent follow-through in terms of projects, underlies the very issue of unregulated tourism in Sri Lanka, leading to an array of environmental calamities.

For example, the natural environment and its quality can deteriorate due to inappropriate design of latrines, septic tanks, and solid waste. In the construction of leisure establishments, hotels and holiday homes deforestation and the destruction of unique flora. To meet the definition of ecotourism, trips must involve visiting natural environments, doing nothing to change or adversely affect these areas, and providing cultural and economic advantages to local communities. Since there is no clear way to enforce these requirements in most instances, and given that businesses can advertise trips as ecotourism even when they aren’t environmentally responsible, “greenwashing” is inevitable in Sri Lanka.

Sewage Water Rafting in Kithulgala

Kithulgala is an interesting case of such unregulated tourism, where white water rafting across the cascading Kelani River, is now an adventure in waters direly polluted by fecal matter. Samanala Graama Sanvardhane Samithiya, a community based organization (CBO); complains that sewage of leisure services establishments alongside the river is released to the river given the lack of monitoring by the government agencies. Some of the establishments are directly placed on the river bank, which is illegal in itself. Quite tragically, the issue of sewage contamination heightens when large groups of guests arrive en route to Adam’s peak during the seasonal months. Moreover, due to the poor solid waste management system, there have been instances where leisure establishments had directly disposed solid waste into the river.  Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL) notes that, it received a complaint from the CBO, in May 2017, of a microbiology water test conducted by the Water Resources Board as per a request made by the Ministry of Irrigation & Water Management.

The results of the test indicated a rise in pollution levels, where the cleanliness of the water was deemed unsatisfactory. Whilst the bacteriological requirement for potable water under SLS 614:2013 of E.coli in a 100ml sample of water was 0/100ml; the highest recording of total E.coli form bacteria at 37°C was 1000/ 100ml in the tested sample of water. Not only is this disgusting, but it also devastating to the riverine community whose daily requirements of water is sustained by the Kelani River. EFL notes that, it is currently working towards addressing the issue of sewage contamination in the Kelani River surrounding Kithulgala, although the complications of the matter rise with government agencies working in silos. 

The Freedom of the Wild Ass and Wild Life 

The government agencies continue to hibernate through the sorry state of the national parks in Sri Lanka, even if, the iconic marine and terrestrial wildlife of the island, is a core tourist attraction. Together they generate significant revenue for conservation of the natural environment, where the revenues incurred from National Parks in 2015 alone, was over 15 million Rupees. Yet the state of many of these national parks remains dismal and despairing. The most visited national parks in the last five years include Yala, Horton Plains and Udawalawa. Dolefully, the state of these national parks is unbelievably substandard. Although much has been spoken about Yala; the subject sadly, but continuously lingers on due to the persisting issues within the national park: such as rundown vehicles, speeding, crowding at wildlife sites and poor infrastructure. Ideally, where the revenues generated should be invested in conserving and better managing the environment, the lack of action in either of those ends raises the burning question as to where all that money goes.

Like land-based wildlife tourism, marine tourism management requires stringent government intervention to ensure a sustainable footing. Three key sites mostly visited to sight blue and sperm whales, dolphins, turtles, Spinner dolphins and certain small shark species include Mirissa on the south coast, Trincomalee on the northeast coast, and Kalpitiya peninsula on the northwest coast. Yet, as EFL pointed out there is a major problem in the management of whale watching, particularly in Mirissa and Kalpitiya, where compact, overloaded, slow boats chase and harass the marine wildlife. The government should not only, implement the internationally recognized regulatory standards for sustainable vessel-based whale watching  but also introduce an Environmental Protection License (EPL) to service providers, as an incentive to actively recognize the importance of environmentally sound protocols.

The Way Forward 

Some of these case studies are taken into consideration in the aforementioned TSP, which identifies the vitality of environmentally sound mechanisms in addressing the persisting calamities. Yet, it goes without saying that, there is a long way forward in successfully ensuring monitoring and evaluation of these steps. Certain loopholes within the regulatory framework have resulted in the destruction of pristine environments, especially under the label of ecotourism. EFL’s case regarding the Sallitivu Islet in Vakarai, for instance is a timely example, which shows that a tourism project which was carried out under the name “Leisure and Pleasure Pristine Eco Culture,” was not even cleared by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). One key issue in this particular case was that, an integrated governmental effort was not taken to inhibit the illegal tourism project. Although, there is a chunk of literature on sustainable tourism projects practicable to Sri Lanka, including the TSP, and policy recommendations generated by academics and professionals, it has not been incorporated in the policy cycle effectively and certainly has not been followed through by governmental agencies. Thus, the destiny of the unregulated tourism and its consequences, remain unresolved and tangled in the web of the Sri Lankan political game. Praiseworthily, organizations such as EFL work towards the protection of environmental objectives in tourism, which highlights the crucial role of the civil society in ensuring accountability of governmental bodies to their actions.

*Piyumani Ranasinghe is an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL). She is a graduate of International Relations from the University of London and is currently reading for her LL.B. degree at the University of Peradeniya.  Her views are independent.

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Latest comments

  • 1
    1

    Yes, another fear mongering. My God SL has so much experts to sound alarm bells for any thing. What is the number, it’s not even two million yet dare warnings abounds. Man tinny Dubai and Singapore gets over 10M visitors. Malaysia 10M, Vietnam 6M, Myanmar 5M, Thailand 19M.

    • 0
      0

      Siri, have you not heard that Singapore wants to sell its Garbage to Sri Lanka!

    • 1
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      Siri

      I believe you know that in Sri Lanka when tourism surges, alarm bells are sounded more stridently. Dire warnings become more raucous.

      Malaysia arrivals are 15 million plus. Credit is to Mahathir Mohamed who as PM kept the fake environmentalists and even the World Bank in their kennels for two decades. Positively, funding by him was always abundunt.

      Sri Lankan tourism is on the threshold of reaching three million in a few years. This is irksome to the envious ‘do gooders’ idle environmentalists. Can they ever show a single tourism spot developed by human hand, where the environment is not infinitely more inviting or not more enhanced than its much prated pristine wholesomeness?

      Iron handed governance and unswervingly strong tourist leadership will prostrate the negatively oriented and take tourism to unmatched heights by 2025 if not earlier.

  • 1
    0

    Siri

    She has a point. Whether it is tourism or any other business, sustainability depends on proper management. SL has a woeful reputation when it comes to environmental issues & wildlife but politicians are ignorant or not bothered of long term repercussions. It may be fear mongering to say that most of SL wildlife would be extinct in a few years with the demise of their natural habitats & drying up of water ways with indiscriminate logging or mountains of garbage dumped in the countryside spoiling the scenery, if not a health hazard to all, but it is reality if something is not done now

    SL could learn from Malta, a rocky island in the Mediterranean smaller than SL but with no natural resources, it depends on shipping & tourism, yet the expansion of big 5 star hotels is restricted because, particularly, water is in short supply (drinking water has to be imported), therefore, excessive water consumption by large hotels would effect the locals. Yet, small B&B hotels are encouraged & the few beaches on the island (the rest being rocky) are clean with no garbage floating around & it is the responsibility of the local Councils for maintaining & regulating the designated area. SL has a Minister for Tourism & another for the Environment but at the end of the day, who takes responsibility?

  • 1
    0

    One has to agree with Piyumani Ranasinghe that tourism industry in SL needs close monitoring.
    The sort of growth obtaining, may yield short term gains but we may in fact lose in the long term. We went out of the way by amending our constitution to ensure that our culture is protected. Must not allow wild-ass-tourists to negate. Mass Kandyan-weddings for Chinese, Koreans? My foot.
    .
    Why not develop the concept of ‘Moral Tourism’. Tourists will arrive to see, experience and enjoy the serenity. Drugs, casinos, brothels and the like will not be available. What we lose, we gain for example saving on policing.
    Our lawmakers will vehemently oppose this concept but they are there for short term gains – filthy gains.
    .
    We must not only look at unregulated tourism through an environmental lens but through all other lenses and mirrors.

  • 4
    3

    Govt. must introduce Sex tourism to drive revenues. Regulated red light districts, roadside counters where services are offered, pavement cabana rentals, peep show booths can all bring in enormous revenue.

    Sex tourism must also be part of the educational curriculum. Especially in all girls schools. It must be taught how to obtain recurring business through outstanding services, exceptional customer service and value added services.

    After all, that’s what the people want. They want SL to be like Singapore.

    • 3
      0

      Retarded Lt bugger, you are truly a sicko. Why don’t you teach this to your daughters as well, disgusting little sh*t

      • 1
        4

        Tamil coolie from the North,

        This is not what I want. This is what the people who want a Singaporean model want.

        This what I call the “Lee Kuan Yew Ho” Model. And Sri Lankan people especially minorities love this model.

    • 3
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      Retarded ……….. Shameless Perera

      “Govt. must introduce Sex tourism to drive revenues. Regulated red light districts, roadside counters where services are offered, pavement cabana rentals, peep show booths can all bring in enormous revenue.”

      Good idea.
      Why don’t you start an official brothel on an experimental basis and ask/force your grandma, mother, wife, sisters, aunts, daughters, granddaughters, sisters in laws, nieces, daughters in law, …… to provide services to punters who usually looking to procure sex from the street, from Champa,…………..
      In case if you need someone to look after your brothel please approach the patriotic pimp Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa.

      Wish you well.

      • 0
        2

        Native Veddha,

        Looks like you are also a fan of the “Lee Kuan Yew Ho” model. Maybe because you are such a big fan of it, perhaps you will be readily available to work inside the pavement counters. No chewing beetle though. I for one do not like beetle on it. LOL!

        On a serious note, what Piyumi is saying is bloody true. Unregulated tourism can destroy countries. Look how well Bhutan runs it’s tourism. Now that’s a true role model for all South Asian nations.

        In Sri Lanka, look what has happened to the once beautiful Nuwara Eliya. I used to love going there. Used to be my favorite place on planet earth. But now if you were to go to NE, all you would see are Line houses and women from those line houses lifting their Sarees and taking a dump.

      • 1
        0

        NV
        You should have included RS Perera as well in the list. After many years in the Army he should be very good at providing certain services for male clientele.

  • 2
    2

    Retarded (Rtd) Lunatic (Lt) RS Perera
    All the years you spent with the Army making pol sambol has certainly affected your brain and thinking. Prostitution the oldest profession is in each and every country around the world because there is a supply and demand (from people like you). Why don’t you enjoy your retirement reading plenty of books on sex and leave tourism in Sri Lanka for others who have knowledge of the industry to handle.

  • 1
    0

    Piyumani Ranasinghe: Do you see how commenters go off the main topic?

    How do you handle such characters at the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) in general and in particular the characters from the Armed Services?

    • 1
      0

      Mister,

      Don’t call me a Armed forces character. I am a Retired Lieutenant and a decorated war hero. You being a Tamil I didn’t call you the ‘C’ word nor did I call you the name that stands for ‘PD’. Learn to respect other. If not don’t cry when others disrespect you.

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