Ours is a society without any law and order. Every one is having his own way. Recent news items on filling of Bolgoda lake and Negombo lagoon and construction of hotels on filled areas, are clear examples of this chaotic situation. Illicit felling of trees in forest reserves, illicit gemming, sand mining, encroachment of forest reserves, natural wetlands, dumping of waste in public places, unauthorised constructions on public property have all become quite common and no body seem to bother.

What is most disturbing is the fact that it is the law makers themselves or politicians who are behind all these unlawful activities.

If this trend continues what will happen to our poor country only God knows. I suggest that an Environmental Police Section is established in every Police station to maintain law and order related to environmental issues.

Their sole job is to keep an eye on the environment on a 24 hour basis so that no unauthorised constructions can come up anywhere, no illicit filling of lakes, lagoons and construction of hotel and industrial complexes can occur, no encroachment of sanctuaries, wetlands, forest reserves can take place. Like the traffic police, officers of this unit must also be in the field attending to environmental issues.

No politician should be allowed to interfere with activities of this special unit. All culprits must be severely punished irrespective of their political or other affiliations.

Establishment of an Environmental Police Unit at every Police station is long overdue. It is the need of the hour if we are to protect our environment for the next generation from environmental terrorism.