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Mattala Airport: some plain facts - Editorial
An airport has been built right in the heart of a bird and wildlife sanctuary. One fails to understand how permission was given to facilitate such a project. To build an international airport, approval has to be obtained from the International Civil Aviation Organisation based in Geneva.
We are told that since the inauguration of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, there have been two reported mid-air collisions between an aircraft and a large flock of birds. Such collisions could prove disastrous for airline flights.
The Civil Aviation Chief is reported to have said, being concerned about environmentally-friendly measures they had ruled out plans to shoot the birds. Moreover moves have been made to remove grass, weeds and seeds that could attract birds and other animals. Waterholes are being closed, so that fish would not breed to bring migratory birds to the area. The authorities claim these are eco-friendly measures. It is indeed sad that the people are fed a heap of stupid, ridiculous and foolish jargon, for the sake of justifying the castle-in-the-sky fancies of high-flying VVIPs pursuing grandiose plans that are unnecessary if not counter-productive.
People are given the responsibility to be custodians of the flora and fauna in the locality of their existance. The interdependence of different species in the animal and plant life is of paramount importance for the vibrant and active functioning of nature. When people become insensitive to this reality, they unwittingly destroy the very life and sustenance that nature is able to provide us, and from which we breathe our own existence. The bottom line is that our very survival depends on the harmonious co-existence of all that exists in nature.
Many are the stories of fertile and luscious forests being turned into deserts. Delicate eco-systems that sustain themselves are throttled or disturbed to a slow death to bring on famine. Water sources are not harnessed or cared for, leaving evidence of their pre-existence when one looks at dry river beds, dust-filled valleys and empty waterholes. They reveal their barrenness to tell their story and warn the next generation to open its eyes and take remedial measures. Failure to do so would be analogically like an emaciated mother having no milk to feed the malnourished infant at her breast.
One needs to emulate our ancient kings, who for the sake of development made it possible for all to benefit. Forests were protected. Agricultural resources were cared for – so that the rural folk would be able to develop and sustain themselves, and thereby the nation. They are remembered for what they built, not what they destroyed.
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