Biology for eco-friendly development

Dr. Hiran S Amarasekera
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
President , Insititue of Biology, 1996- 1997

Sri Lanka is in the process of achieving rapid development in line with the other industrialist nations. The theme, “biology for eco-friendly development” was selected to stress the importance of achieving this development by formulating correct strategies to provide goods and services to satisfy the highly competitive, rapidly expanding market demand on the one hand and protecting natural ecosystems on the other. We are fortunate to have kind sponsorship from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment which will broaden our capabilities to serve Sri Lankan population at large in communicating this message of Biology for eco-friendly development. 

Developing country like Sri Lanka, on average, is far behind the other developed nations in welfare of rural population, equity and national economic development. Hence we must concentrate on eco-friendly utilization of natural resources to enhance welfare of rural population and national economic development with due attention to equity.  This development should be accompanied with conserving renewable resources such as soil, water and forest resources, controlling pollution, reducing waste and developing eco-friendly technologies.

Biology is the scientific study of living things. From the traditional division into zoology and botany, biosciences have developed which span their limits.  Disciplines such as micorbiology, biotechnology, forestry, horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, oceanography, marine biology, biochemistry, palaeontology and medicine have a strong basis in biology.  Biology has the potential to help solve many of the current problems, a number of which stem from overpopulation and the strain that our sheer numbers place on ecological systems. Because of the population growth, human beings are now exhausting the limited resources that support the life on our small planet.

Biologists have identified and defined these valuable resources as bio-diversity. Biological diversity or Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form. This living wealth is the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Humanity derives all of its food and many medicines and industrial products from the wild and domesticated components of biological diversity. Biotic resources also  provide many ecological services. As Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the biodiverstiy hot spots in the world it is essential to contribute to the conservation and management efforts of these biological resources.

Several biologists are now involved in forestry. Forestry sector has economic linkages to the energy sector by providing bio-energy (fuelwood) and protection of catchment areas serving hydropower generation. Forestry also contribute indirectly to agriculture sector by conserving soil and water. It provides industry sector with the much needed supply of wood and other forest based raw materials.  Although, official statistics indicate that forestry sector provides 1.4% to the GNP (in 1993), the true contribution to the economy by this sector is much greater.  Forestry also provides other tangible and intangible benefits.

In the area of biotechnology, biologists are now applying discoveries in biology to eco-friendly production of useful organisms and their products. It centers on development of enzyme technology in industry and medicine, and of gene manipulation, often utilized in plant and animal breeding.  Together, these constitute biomolecular engineering.  Branches include fermentation technology, waste technology and renewable resources technology, such as the use of lignocellulose to generate more usable energy sources.  Micro-organisms, and their traditional involvement in brewing, baking and cheese/ yogurt industries is also affected by the technology.

Sri Lankan biologists have contributed immensely in conserving natural resources, particularly natural wet-zone forests.  Botanists and zoologists have conducted detailed studies on the biodiversity of Sri Lanka, which helped the world community to understand the biological importance of this island. However only very limited amount of research have been conducted on management and sustainable utilization in forestry and in many other natural resource disciplines. Also we are experiencing the pressure from certain environmentalists who are lobbying on extreme preservation measures thus hindering development activities.  The issues such as carbon dioxide emissions, stratospheric ozone depletion, the disposal of toxic wastes, although important to Sri Lanka are not our own priorities.  We should be more concerned on problems such as soil erosion, the depletion of wood supplies to the industry, inadequate and poor water supply, and bad sanitation. Our limited research resources among biologists and other disciplines should be channeled towards addressing these pressing concerns, rather than towards “global modeling”. In this area, as biologists and scientists we have a major role in educating young students, NGO community and the general public at large. 

It is essential to concentrate our efforts on dissemination and development of knowledge in the fields of management and eco-friendly utilization of biological resources to achieve the economic development.

Presidential Address, at the Theme Seminar on Biology for Eco-friendly development at the Seventeenth Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, 1997