21st Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programee (MAB/ICC), 25 - 29 May 2009, Jeju, Republic of Korea

CONCEPT
Nature is a source of life, yet its use and the conservation are at the root of numerous conflicts. Biosphere Reserves are privileged sites to better understand these sources of conflict and they aim to reconcile objectives for conservation of biodiversity and development. They are supposed to make it possible to experience how people can sustainably use the natural surroundings without destroying them. To date there are 553 Biosphere Reserves in 107 countries.

MAN AND BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME (MAB) AND THE INTERNATINAL COORDINATING COUNCIL (ICC)
MAB is an intergovernmental programme established by UNESCO in 1971 and implemented through more than 140 MAB National Committees around the world. UNESCO, through the Secretariat of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), coordinates MAB functions while the MAB/ICC designates Biosphere Reserves that are nominated by National MAB Committees in member states for inclusion in the WNBR.

SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is a long-standing member of the MAB Programme and it is one of the 34 members of the MAB/ICC during the current term. Sri Lanka has four (International) Biosphere Reserves: Bundala, Hurulu, Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya Forest Complex and Sinharaja, and over 30 sites declared at national level, indicating its dedication for environment conservation and sustainable development. The National MAB Committee, consisting of 12 experts, functions under the auspices of the National Science Foundation within the Ministry of Science & Technology.

Tele-city project

EML has been entrusted with the fascinating task of developing detailed designs for the construction/establishment of a Film and Television Studio Complex in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. The ‘City’will comprise studios, film- biz centers, communication and health facilities, sports and recreation facilities, administrative and residential complexes etc. and also a state-of-the-art film and television school. EML is adopting an innovative designs process in which most of the construction materials are recycled or waste salvaged, and all buildings fixed with energy efficient appliances. (photograph- part of the studios complex

EML Consultants becomes a Member of United States Green Building Council

EML Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. is proud to announce their enrolment in the United State Green Building Council [USGBC] national membership council. This has opened avenues for EML to join a vibrant and diverse community of more than 15,000 member organisations, and will be able to share the information and ideas of this rapidly growing Green building industry. .
The Green Building industry is exploding and EML is proud to be part of this explosion. As a member of USGBC, EML Consultants is added to the online membership directory, and EML is privileged to use the USGBC member logo in their dealings associated with the Green Building works. Among other privileges that EML will enjoy are, voting rights in board and committee elections, and access to online member resources and host of other benefits. On the broader front, being a environmentally responsible organization, EML is focussed on promoting Green Building Design Concepts to a wider section of the building industry in Sri Lanka thus helping to release the pressure on the environment due to development initiatives.

EML Consultants Pioneered in LEED Education among Sri Lankans

EML Consultants (Pvt) Ltd., a leading environmental consultancy service provider company in Sri Lanka aims to promote sustainable design and building practices in Sri Lanka with tested and proven practices that is guaranteed in order to protect the nature, natural habitat and improve water and energy efficiency without compromising the quality of the indoor environment and health of the building occupants.
In meeting the above objectives, EML has organized a LEED private workshop for New Construction and Major Renovation Technical Review is organised by EML Consultants to develop the capacity and widen the Green Building Design Concepts to a wider section of the building industry. LEED that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a United State Green Building Council [USGBC] accredited rating system for environmentally sustainable building construction. Since its inception in 1998, it has grown to cover more than 14,000 projects in United States and 30 other countries that also include Sri Lanka.

EML steps into Vocational Training in Less-Privileged Areas

EML Consultants embarked in vocational training at their Ampara Branch office and commenced training programs on computer aided professional software applications with the collaboration of Open System Technologies Ltd. Open System Technologies Ltd is a professional e-career development Institute and a subsidiary of e-wis who are currently conducting accredited courses of world-renowned software companies such as Autodesk, Microsoft, Research Engineers and Primavera systems etc. With the vast expertise of EML in Human Resource Development through conducting training programs, together with the resource base of Open System Technologies Ltd. to offer accredited courses in professional software applications, the planned training programs will be highly productive, and participants to the program will be able to reap the maximum benefit.

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Computer Awareness Programme as the first step forward, was held on 27th January 2009 in Ampara at the auspicious of Divisional Secretary, Ampara. Over 50 participants of various disciplines representing several organizations in Ampara District participated at the programme. The program was conducted by Mr. Mr ERWIN Barthlot, an experienced professional specialized in Auto Cad and MS Project.

A strong enthusiasm to learn Auto Cad and MS Project was shown among the participants. The awareness program was concluded successfully by giving an assurance to the participants that future computer programs will commence shortly at Ampara.

BLOOD DONATION PROGRAMME

The blood donation programme held on the 24th October 2008 was one of the series of social events organized and conducted by the EML Friends Welfare Society. Over 30 EML employees participated in this programme which was conducted in aid of Cancer Hospital Maharagama.
At a time when blood banks report dangerously low supplies the staff of EML consultants rolled up their sleeve and was altruistic to do a good deed for someone else in need. The Cancer Hospital in Maharagama, Sri Lanka has a regular requirement of blood for emergencies and for people who suffer from cancers, blood disorders, sickle cell, anemia and for patients who need regular blood transfusions. EML Consultants is proud to have played a small part in this worthy cause.

Tsunami Results Monitoring Project (TRMP) – Sri Lanka ( Feb 2008- Jun 2009 )

The contract for EML is to assist Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in the results monitoring and performance tracking of CIDA’s longer term tsunami reconstruction programme in Sri Lanka . The project will also to provide assistance to CIDA in obtaining accurate feedback on the overall Canadian response to the Sri Lanka tsunami in terms of the investments that have been made through its various international and Sri Lankan partners. It will monitor the various tsunami projects across several sectors throughout the country to report on the overall progress of the individual activities in terms of effectiveness, as well as to ensure high level results are being obtained and accountability is being respected. The program covers a wide spectrum of areas which includes housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, microfinance and livelihoods, strengthening community capacities, effective local governance, child care and gender issues, and restoration of environment and eco systems.
Client: Project Implementation Unit of CIDA/Canadian High Commission , Sri Lanka
Financing Agency: CIDA

Branch Office in the Eastern Province

EML Consultants opened a new branch office in Ampara in the Eastern Province, in December 2007. The opening coincided with the launching of the Solid Waste Management Project of the Ampara Municipal Council, implemented jointly by EML and UNOPS and funded by the European Union. The project will support capacity building of the communities and relevant local agencies of the district in sustainable solid waste management.
EML Ampara office will also serve as a focal point in the implementation of ‘Tsunami Results Monitoring-Sri Lanka’, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), which is focused on monitoring and assessment of CIDA’s programs on tsunami rehabilitation. In addition, the Amapara office will conduct detailed studies for the ‘Sunrise Development Plan’ a physical development plan for the eastern province based on the physical development plan for the Eastern Province , formulated by EML Consultants in 2004, and implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) for Tourism Development of Kalpitiya Peninsula, Sri Lanka

EML commenced work on the Strategic Environment Assessment for Kalpitiya, Tourism Development Project implemented by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). The assessment is carried out systematically and in a comprehensive manner in order to minimize the possible environmental impacts due to development of infrastructure and also to set environmental safeguards and mitigatory measures in place to ensure sustainable development in the designated area of development.
The assessment team comprises experts of a wide spectrum which includes ecologists, environmentalists, sociologists, natural resource economists, architects, land use planners and GIS specialists. The work will be completed in four months and will facilitate SLTDA in the planning of future tourism development activities in the Kalpitiya area.