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Let us enforce the laws - and protect the environment
One of the goals of the Sri Lanka Customs department is protection of the society and its heritage.
Protection of the environment is an important activity of this exercise, many International as well as National
Agencies are involved. Sri Lanka Customs is bound to enforce various statutes relating to biodiversity at the point of
importation and exportation.
Being a tropical island, Sri Lanka is very rich in wild Fauna & Flora, and is considered as one of the richest
countries in biodiversity. And also among one of the eight " Hottest Hot Spots of Biodiversity", as per the reports of
Mr. Norman Myers etal. As a result, a very high demand has been generated the world over for our species which have attracted
big-time animal and plant hunters. High percntage of endemism, rare species, ornamental value, texture and quality of our
species also enhanced this over - exploitation. Mean time, the modern technology used in smuggling, Customs has a big
challenge in monitoring the illegal dispersal of biodiversity related items.
Having regard to the need of achieving this goal a Biodiversity Protection Unit has been established.
According to the information, this probably the world's first Customs Biodiversity Protection Unit.
Enforce the law to protect the biodiversity.
Biodiversity Protection and ensure due revenue of Sri Lanka by enforcement of relevant laws while
facilitating the trade at Customs points.
Enforce and monitor the National and International laws relating to the import and export of Biodiversity related items.
Promotes the development programmes of the country through revenue collection, facilitation and enforcement in import and export of fauna & flora and also in a manner, which will not harm the rich biological heritage of the country.
Provide expert opinion and represent the department when required.
Educate and create awareness among the Customs staff as well as the public on the subject matter.
Exchange information and develop intelligence with National and International institutions concerned.
Organizational Chart (52KB)
International conventions on environment to which Sri Lanka has become a party (51KB)
Laws governing the movements of (Import & Export) of Fauna & Flora (58KB)
DOPL - Biodiversity Protection Unit (82KB)
DOPL - Task force on Biodiversity protection (89KB)
DOPL - Laws governing the movement of Fauna and Flora (99KB)
DOPL - Use of proper terms for the biological materials in Customs Department (77KB)
DOPL - Monitoring of imports/re-exports of ornamental fish through air cargo
terminal - Katunayake (87KB)
Notice - Declaration of Biological Materials (70KB)
Notification to all live fish/live plant & related fauna & flora exporters (57KB)
Notice - All Exporters & Customs House Agents (76KB)
Activities of Biodiversity Protection Unit and Biodiversity Protection Task Force
To meet the goals of the Customs Department and achieve the objectives of the Biodiversity Protection Unit.
Attend meetings, seminars, workshops and contribution of expert opinions etc relating to policy matters and other matters held at governmental and non-governmental institutions.
Develop strategic plans and act accordingly to prevent smuggling.
Monitor and proper enforcement of related laws at entry and exit points of Customs.
Conduct investigations, prosecution and courts procedure on subjected detections.
Coordinate with HRD to organize and conduct educational, training, awareness programmes etc. for the benefit of the officers, other departments and public.
Prepare / coordinate in developing the identification manuals.
Attend daily correspondence.
Provide expert opinion and guidance for Biodiversity related matters on inquiries made by officers and public. And assist the officers in subject matter.
Keep surveillance and develop a risk profile on smuggling of biodiversity related matters at various Customs points.
Develop and maintain the database on biodiversity related detections.
Maintain the information network with relevant national and international parties on the subjected detections.
Maintain the proper relationship with line Ministries, govt. departments etc and exchange information with national and international organizations to achieve the objectives of the unit.
Develop and maintain a valuation base on the subject matter.
Set-up and maintain a mini museum, relevant literature collection, albums, paper cutting collected on detections and essential lab equipments.
Proper disposal of detected biodiversity related articles.
Prepare & develop the related publications and distribution of them.
Prepare the monthly and annual performance progress reports.
Develop & maintain the inventory of detected biodiversity related articles and advising on proper disposal of them.
Feeding the databases on the exports and imports of indigenous Fauna and Flora and getting the assistance of external institutions when required.
Assist in developing and updating a website to fulfill the objectives of BPU and the department.
Getting the assistance of the staff of Biodiversity Protection Task Force when required.
Inform DGC, CIU, CIB, WCO, CITES and TRAFFIC International etc on the subjected detections.
Any other matters concerned the subject.
Activities of Biodiversity Protection Unit has causes to draw some Awards to Sri Lanka Customs:
Due to the activities of Biodiversity Protection Task Force of Customs, in 1996 the Customs Department has been elected and awarded by the “Soba Sineru” (SOTV). “National Environmental Award of Sri Lanka” given by “Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum” (SLEJF) in recognition of outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment within last decade(1986 – 1995)
Year1996- The activities of Biodiversity Protection unit was selected as one of the best Environmental success stories and this was featured in the book of SLEJF which was written on the above topic under the title of “customs officers fighting against Gene Piracy”
Due to the performance on the subject matter, some officers of BPU has been awarded as follows:
Year 2005 - Presidential Environmental Award
“With the objective of protection the environment for future generations through the promotion of environment friendly culture” – presented the
President’s Environmental Award – 2004 for Excellent Services Rendered in the outstanding contribution sector.
Year 2004 – Awarded by Customs Inspectors Union for “Outstanding Performance on Controlling of Illegal Wildlife Trade & Antiquities”.
Year 2004 – Awarded by Young Zoologist’s Association of Sri Lanka for “The Contribution towards Conservation of Biodiversity of Sri Lanka”.
Year 2002 – Awarded by “Mihidaru Prasadini”, Environmental award by the Federation of Green Movements (Haritha Eka Muthuwa) for the commitment to protect the natural resources of Sri Lanka.
Year 2001 – Awarded by the Circle of the Small Scale Entrepreneurs of Ornamental Fish for “The outstanding performance in Protection of Natural Resources from Illegal Export Trade”.
The performances of BPU & BPTF has been appreciated by various institutions such as:
Green Media Forum - 2005
Thurstan College, Colombo - 2004
Dharmashoka Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda - 2003
Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya - 2002
Sunethra Devi Vidyalaya, Pepiliyana - 2001
North – East Commander of Sri Lanka Navy - 1999
Wider range of detections have been done by the Biodiversity Protection Unit. Most of them are nationally important and which created the public attention. Some of them were later transpired into national issues. Gene piracy, exports of medicinal plants, water plant issue are some of them.
Followings are among the detections
Live baby monkey, Leopard skins, Ivory, restricted fish (Puntius nigrofasciatus), bird feathers (Indian grey
jungle fowl, peafowl), reptile skin handbags, money purses (cobra, python etc), edible bird nests (Colocalia unicolor),
deer skins, atlas moth cocoons (Attacus atlas), animal teeth (wild boar), kangaroo skin, stuffed turtles and
turtle shell scutes (Hawks bill turtle, Green turtle), butterflies (live, preserved & cocoons) (Blue Mormon, Common Mormon,
Common Rose, Red Helen etc), animal parts(Big cat paws, nails, horns etc), jackal heads, live corals, tube worms, elk head,
snake skin, L/hand bags, elephant hair studded silver jewellery, live nematodes, fox tails, aquatic plant
rhizomes(Cryptocoryne spp, Aponogeton spp.), external egg bearing & under
sized prohibited live lobsters, (Panulirus spp), tortoise shell framed sunglasses, protected molluscs shells,
protected plants, (Cycads, Lycopodium spp., Nypa fruticans, Calamander)live tarantulas, dead
dolpin, sable hair, live birds (Macaws, parrots etc), live star tortoises, live and preserved insects, medicinal plants
(Salacia reticulata), ebony wood and furniture, antique furniture studded with ebony & ivory, dried
flowers, protected live crustaceans (Enoplometopus spp.), ambergris, live bumble bees, stuffed animals(
cobra, mongoose, Iguana etc), spice plant (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), sandalwood(logs, powder), red
sanders logs, quail eggs, plant extractions (medicinal plants in gene piracy), crocodile skin, stuffed birds, seed potatoes,
live red eared slider (invasive spp.) minerals such as quartz, soil etc.
Telephone Nos
0094 11 2472179
0094 11 2478616
E-mail
bpuslcustoms@hotmail.com
Last updated on 07-02-2007