There is no national policy for mangrove resource management like the Climate Change Policy – Dr Lal

There is no national policy for mangrove resource management like the Climate Change Policy and it is crucial to bring government agencies to explain the struggles and the kind of responses needed to improve the management and use of mangroves.

This was highlighted by Dr Padma Lal at the Interdepartmental Workshop on Mangrove Governance and Mangrove Regulation this morning at Grand Pacific Hotel.

Dr Lal says the input from everyone today will determine if they can work and build on what they have or if there is a need for a separate Mangrove Management Act.

She says through the Environment Management Act, there are provisions to look after the mangrove system and under that, the National Environment Council can establish management committees.

Dr Lal adds due to COVID-19 the committees have not been in function as they used to.

She says that people are often seen planting mangroves but they don’t understand where exactly they are planting because strong currents can easily wash away the mangroves which is a waste of resources.

She says the according to science mangroves are just plants but it is the heart of the eco-system and there needs to be more understanding on the science behind the eco-system.