ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION 1 PROJECT

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The primary objective of the Environmental Action 1 Project is to help the Sri Lankan government strengthen its institutional and policy framework for environmental management within which the International Development Association and other donors will provide assistance. In particular, the project will: support restructuring the Environmental Division (ED) in the Ministry of Transport, Environment and Women's Affairs (MTEWA) for better policy planning and coordination; and strengthen the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to better carry out its analytical, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities; support ongoing efforts to integrate environmental considerations in the overall development planning process; and help the government take immediate remedial measures to reverse the trend of environmental degradation through pilot programs involving participatory approaches to environmental management. The project will comprise three major components: (1) Institutional Strengthening -restructuring ED within MTEWA to allow it to play a central role in environmental policy, planning and coordination nationally; restructuring and strengthening CEA by establishing and implementing a staff development program; enhancing the Industrial Licensing and Inspection Program; developing environmental codes of practice for small industries; improving EIA capacity, and strengthening the environmental information system; providing office and technical facilities to accommodate both ED and CEA; and studying linkages between sector and economy-wide policies and the environment including an annual review of the environmental implications of the Public Investment Program (PIP), and further updating the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). (2) Community Environmental Initiatives Facility (CEIF) -which will be established to finance well-planned environmental activities at the grass-roots level within the priority NEAP/PIP. CEIF will provide a mechanism for pooling resources -to which other donors could also contribute- and serve as a vehicle for private sector and NGO participation and for decentralizing environmental activities. (3) Pilot Land Management Component -which will entail pilot projects involving community participation in rehabilitating degraded lands.