Climate change:

Satellite technology to monitor impact on coastal belt

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Satellite technology will be utilized to monitor the impact on the coastal belt and the Sri Lankan waters due to climatic changes. The Ports and Aviation Ministry and Coast Conservation Department will jointly carry out this program.

Accordingly, the Ports and Aviation Ministry along with Coast Conservation Department has initiated various activities including using space application for monitoring of environment and climate changes. This monitoring process is assisted by Asia-Pacific Region Space Agency Forum under the theme "Space Application for Environment".

It has been targeted to increase the local utilization of space technology for environment related issues. Under this program different local agencies who work with environment and climatic changes issues will be induced to formulate more space applications through transferring technologies, networking with regional agencies, and increasing access to satellite images.

Though the world is in an era of space technology with many advanced technologies for the monitoring of environment, Sri Lanka is at the beginning of such space application on environment monitoring. Since the natural environment is more sensitive, it should be dealt with great care. Expected changes and impacts should be monitored carefully and corrective action taken thereafter, Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said.

Coastal sector is one of the sectors, that is greatly vulnerable to climatic changes.

Sensitive and productive ecosystems may be endangered with the consequences of climatic changes, the Deputy Minister added.