The environmental devastation caused to Sri Lanka’s seabed and coastal ecosystem as a result of the X-Press Pearl disaster is incalculable.

The wreck of the feeder vessel now lies partially submerged off the coast of Sri Lanka. According to the available information, there are still around 46 different chemical containers aboard the gutted ship and they are believed to be highly toxic to flora, fauna, human beings and the environment as a whole. The contents of some of these containers have already leaked into sea water poisoning marine life. The only visible pollutants now are plastic pellets.

So far, the carcasses of 220 turtles, 20 dolphins and seven whales have been found in the coastal areas. The number of carcasses of marine life may increase with the speed of leakages of the chemical containers. Unfortunately, only up to 10% of carcasses are swept to the sea shore by waves. The direct impact here was largely on reptiles and mammals rather than fish.

Mammals and reptiles play a key role both as predators and as well as prey in the seawater ecosystem. Chemicals directly affect plants and plankton and may cause to reduce the oxygen level in the seabed.

Plastic takes between 500 to 1,000 years to decompose. This means that the tons of plastic pellets that remain will continue to cause harm to the ecosystem for anything up to one thousand years. Marine species face the threat of eating these pellets and dying due to damage caused to their digestive system.

Some rare and threatened marine species may become extinct. Corals may have already died, and there is a need for research to conserve corals that may have survived. Acidic rains are also to be expected under the circumstances.

As a result of nitric acid, sodium dioxide, copper and lead in sea water, the toll on marine life will be heavy with small fish dying quickly due to poisoning. The affected seabed and its environs will remain dangerous for fauna and humans for many more years to come.

In such a distressing situation, how can we protect the marine ecosystem and its diversity? Environmental impacts of the X-Press Pearl disaster indicate that it may take millions of years to recover and restore Sri Lanka’s ecosystem.

In addition, we can identify deforestation as a continuing disaster to our natural environment in many forms. Recent causes for deforestation can be identified as agriculture, human settlements and infrastructure development projects.

Deforestation primarily affect the oxygen level of the atmosphere. When we look back at the past few years, floods and droughts were big environmental problems that the country had to grapple with at substantial cost.

Wildlife extinction and habitat loss also impact negatively on the whole ecosystem and biodiversity of the country. Endemic and threatened species are vulnerable in such a situation.

Though reforestation is not the only option, it is a globally effective and long-lasting solution to save the earth. Tree planting programs are also not the only solution in this context. What the government authorities must do is to conserve the existing forest cover, enhance forest patches for planting.

On a daily basis, we hear of environmental conservation and strident calls to address contentious issues and assurances that it will be done. I always look into these burning issues on a different level with focus on changing human attitudes. Without first changing attitudes, I believe the system change will not work for environmental conservation.

Whether it was the X-Press Pearl disaster or deforestation, the key role revolves around humans. All government leaders as well as the people must be given the personal responsibility of protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity and saving the earth.

A change of human attitude will make this world a better place to live in.

– Sujeewa Kumari (LLB, MA, MEM),

Attorney-at-law, Secretary, Wildreach Trust.