The Pearl Protectors

Sri Lanka's Beaches Under Siege Due to Environmental Toll of Heavy Mineral Sand Mining

Read Full Article:
https://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Spotlight-on-mineral-sand-mining-along-Sri-Lankas-coastline/131-343935?fbclid=IwdGRzaASq2sJjbGNrBKravmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHi1pRDAIZNz5USiDfBsHHt-EDCwUGTwoMw9ZvqgI8RQKQ0vLBn4mz84dmGIP_aem_WnMI2WvrQoJ4H0v7R3MMkQ&sfnsn=wa

Mona Khalil, an ocean conservation hero, was killed by the Israeli Occupational force in Lebanon on 19th June. Mona was a beacon of hope for sea turtle conservation in Lebanon and across the region.

Mona dedicated her life towards protecting and conserving endangered Loggerhead sea turtles and Green sea turtles. Based in Tyre, South coastline of Lebanon, Mona ensured that this important nesting grounds for sea turtles was kept secured and safe especially during the night from many challenges nesting sea turtles faces.

By the age of 76, she spent one third of her life dedicating her time and effort towards sea turtle conservation. For 25 years, she ensured safe nesting and safe passage for sea turtle hatchlings back into the sea.

Mona khalil, originally from the Netherlands, left her hometown to Lebanon after seeing a sea turtle nesting off the coast of Lebanon, after which she realized how vulnerable nests are, especially during the Israeli occupation in the area till 2000. After making her self permanent in Tyre, she worked with volunteers, children and parents as a conservationist, an educationist and as an advocate towards protecting sea turtles.

She was indiscriminately struck by an Israeli airstrike while she was residing in her home. Rescuers were too late when she was taken to the hospital. The sea turtles she provided safety will continue to return to the shorelines in Lebanon unknowing the service she rendered for their protection. Yet her name will resonate amongst all of us as a hero who springboarded conservation in a region scared with conflict.

Israel has continued to target civilians and children, killing thousands of civilians in Palestine and Lebanon. Mona Khalil leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and dedication towards our nature, which the ongoing genocide by Israel ruthlessly ripped away from us.

Our coastal environment is facing yet another new challenge from a few lucrative mineral sand mining companies.

Coastal areas such as Kirinda where all 5 species of sea turtles are nesting have been threatened of heavy mineral sand mining resulting in loss of habitat and loss in coastal vegetation.

Similar exploration licenses have been issued in Mannar, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara in some of the most sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Many other countries have heavily regulated or banned such extractions due to excessive damages caused to the coastal environment. Yet in Sri Lanka, few foreign companies are being allowed to continue with such extractions.

A fragile Sri Lankan island fights back against the threat of mineral extraction COLOMBO — “Cries in silence, her veins robbed by greedy hands, each grain of stolen sand buries a future beneath the lands” — these lines from the song Karunilam (‘black sand’ in Tamil), composed by the young artiste Eric Fernando, give voice to the land and people of Mannar Island, in n...