Ban calls for protection of environment in times of war

UN chief Wednesday said although there is a growing recognition of importance of environmental dimension of sustainable development, natural resources such as forests, wildlife, water sources and agricultural lands continue to be exploited and degraded during armed conflicts, threatening long-term peace and security. In a message marking The International Day For Preventing The Exploitation of The environment in War and Armed Conflict, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said illegal trafficking in minerals, wildlife, timber, charcoal and narcotics is financing illicit activities and supporting armed groups and criminal networks in Central and East Africa today. In Somalia, he noted, it is estimated that the illegal trade in charcoal represents annual revenues of up to USD 384 million for insurgents and terrorist groups. "Strengthening natural resource governance and improving monitoring in conflict-affected states can help prevent resources from fuelling conflict, direct much-needed revenue towards economic revitalization and contribute to more lasting peace. Conversely, failing to protect and manage these resources in an equitable way only exacerbates the vulnerability of those who depend on them the most, especially the poor," he added. The safe disposal of weapons of war is also of critical concern, he said, adding that this is one of the challenges that the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons currently face in Syria, where the destruction of chemical weapons and production facilities must include strict environmental safeguards to prevent chemical contamination, new environmental "hotspots" and public health risks. "On this International Day, we stress the critical importance of protecting the environment in times of armed conflict and restoring the good governance of natural resources during post-conflict reconstruction. We also recognize the important role that natural resources play in supporting the livelihoods and resilience of all members of society, especially women, and the implications of sustainable natural resource management for conflict prevention and peace," he insisted. On 5 November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. Though mankind has always counted its war casualties in terms of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, destroyed cities and livelihoods, polluted water wells, torched crops, poisoned soils to gain military advantage have often remained the unpublicized victims of war. The Assembly's action was proposed by Kuwait which saw its 749 oil wells being torched by retreating Iraqi soldiers in early 1991 after eight months of occupying the country