CCC and BSL take the Sri Lankan EPR Journey on Plastics Waste Management to the 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) held from September 18th to 24th in Busan, South Korea
Our Board Director Mr Chandraratne Vithanage and Programme Manager, Roshan Salinda attended the world’s longest-running international conference series dedicated to the issue of marine litter and plastic pollution recently. IMDC is well-recognized as a platform for bringing together governments, industry, academia, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders to discuss the latest science, strengthen collaborations, find solutions and catalyze action to address the urgent, global problem of marine litter and plastic pollution.
The 7IMDC was held with the participation of 760 people physically, and 183 people virtually from 89 countries. The Conference had 110 sessions under 9 technical tracks, namely Monitoring, Research, Technology & Innovation, Education, Awareness & Communication, Regulation, Laws & Policy, Circularity & Waste Management, Economics, Financing & Private Sector Engagement, Sea-based Sources, and International Collaborations. There were 564 presentations and 234 posters, generating more than 130 hours of substantive content for consumption. To connect with each other, there were many opportunities and medium available throughout the conference. These include 7IMDC App, networking events such as social events and luncheons, and the Global Partnership on Marine Little (GPML) digital platform. It was inspiring to interact and see the energy of a global like-minded, passionate, rapidly growing community to tackle the marine plastic issue. The sense of purpose was noticeable among speakers to inform and drive solutions and actions while continuing to do more research on marine litter.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) made a joint presentation on the Sri Lankan EPR Journey on Plastics Waste to this international audience in session 5.1 titled non-state actors in governance solutions to plastic pollution. The participants were appreciative of the work carried out and suggested that Sri Lanka can generate a blueprint for industry-led volunteer EPR programs in South Asia.
The knowledge gained and connections made from 7IMDC will be extremely important for both CCC and BSL to expand and enrich joint EPR efforts.
PLASTICS
BSL commences “Promoting Long-term Approaches for a Sustainable, Transformative and Inclusive Circular Economy in Sri Lanka” Project
Sri Lanka has steadily increased its import of plastic, with over 500,000 metric tons (MT) of virgin plastic imported to the island annually, straining the national waste management system. It is estimated that 1.59 million tons of plastic waste are mismanaged in Sri Lanka annually, of which approximately 69,000 tons end up in canals, rivers, and eventually the ocean, endangering marine ecosystems, and even leading to landfill collapses. In Sri Lanka, the problems associated with plastic waste lie equally with the present haphazard disposal practices as with the rate of generation.
In order to address this plastic waste issue, under the leadership of the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), BSL is part of a consortium implementing a project titled Promoting Long-term Approaches for a Sustainable, Transformative and Inclusive Circular Economy in Sri Lanka (PLASTICS). The other partners in the consortium are Industrial Services Bureau (ISB), STENUM Asia, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India. The project facilitates both plastic waste minimization and management in Sri Lanka by integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a greener value and supply chain (V/SC), thereby contributing to economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. The 48-month-long action is intended to specifically improve economic development within the plastic V/SC through SME resource efficiency, circular innovation, green finance, and sustainable waste management (SWM) frameworks in the Western Province of the country.
The Western Province will benefit an estimated 5.82 million final indirect beneficiaries covering all household-level consumers. The direct beneficiaries/target groups are 150 SMEs in the plastic V/SC that will benefit from enhanced green business development processes, including (1) brand owners and high plastic users, especially within the food and beverage value chains; (2) plastic producers/importer; (3) informal/formal collectors; (4) recyclers/up-cyclers; with a particular focus on women-led SMEs.
Output Four of the Project for which BSL is responsible will strengthen the traceability, transparency, and compliance to plastic SWM through public-private dialogue, collaboration, and monitoring. BSL will map relevant national/regional/international policies, legal frameworks, regulations, and initiatives related to plastic SWM, and will carry out a desk review of EPR frameworks in the country, region, and beyond. BSL will undertake a consultative process to set up a management framework of the National Clearing House (NCH) for EPR on Plastic Waste so that it can become a self-sustaining resource and reporting center for plastic take-back schemes. Further, the project will help to shape the national EPR dialogue as it will work with global partners in standardizing national EPR frameworks (inclusive of legal frameworks).
To promote EPR standardization, BSL will undertake a national-level communication campaign on EPR. Multiple communication tools including social media will be deployed in rolling out this campaign. A key target group of the campaign will be SMEs in the plastic sector. BSL will be accountable for communicating EPR at the national level and facilitating EPR policy dialogues.
“Life to Our Mangroves” – A Partners led Effort
LIFE to Our Mangroves is one of BSL’s landmark multi-partner public-private partnership projects aiming to assist in restoring degraded mangrove patches located in the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary. The Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary spans over 1,397 hectares and is an amalgamation of forest wetlands like mangrove and freshwater swamps, coastal saltwater ecosystems, and freshwater lakes. It is one of Sri Lanka’s six designated Ramsar Sites.
The selected patches have become degraded due to intensive shrimp farming projects that took place over three decades ago. Led by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Wayamba University (WUSL), the restoration activities are to be conducted using scientific principles, to enhance ecological functions, habitat quality, species diversity, and capacity to provide biodiversity and ecosystem services that are in close approximation to what prevailed before it was converted to the present state. Further, the project is expected to give a boost to the local economy by providing employment opportunities to adjacent communities as well as by local project purchases. In parallel to the restoration of this degraded wetland, BSL is in discussion with the DWC and the Sri Lanka Climate Fund is in the process of planning to assess and issue Carbon Credits to the partners.
BSL together with some of the project partners conducted a field visit to the site on 5th July 2022. The purpose of the visit was to hold discussions with the DWC personnel on-site, assess the field situation, and obtain practical insights on the status and planned activities. During this visit, the DWC Park Warden provided a detailed account of the site and its ongoing pilot mangrove restoration activities. He mentioned that for the current restoration effort a new mangrove restoration technique will be used which is based on the hydrological studies undertaken recently by the Sri Lanka Navy. The new plan for commencing restoration activities was presented to all stakeholders on 27th July 2022, by the DWC and the Wayamba University, co-coinciding with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. Phase 1 will commence with the plots closest to the Dutch Canal.
Project partners interacted with DWC officials by asking questions pertaining to the site, thus actively engaging in planned restoration activities. After this interactive session, the partners observed the land plots allocated to BSL for restoration activities. During the post-lunch question and answer session, DWC officials explained that the hydrological plans, prepared by the Sri Lankan Navy, will be a key element in the overall restoration approach. There will be a separate hydrological plan for each land plot. They further clarified that land plots closer to the Dutch Canal will be re-planted with true mangrove species and the plots which are located more landwards from the Dutch Canal will also carry mangrove associates and other terrestrial plant species. At the conclusion of the field visit, partners symbolically planted mangrove saplings/ propagules at the site.
Currently, BSL members Citizens Development Business Finance PLC, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Dole Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., Dynawash Ltd., Eswaran Brothers Exports (Pvt.) Ltd., National Development Bank PLC, and Sampath Bank PLC are partnering with BSL in this restoration effort. More information on how you can engage in this Project can be had from: [email protected]
Patron Member Virtusa in support of Nationally Significant Sustainability Efforts
BSL’s Patron Member Virtusa stepped up in 2021, to design, establish and operationalize “Life Commitment” – BSL’s Online Reporting System for documenting private sector contributions on present and planned initiatives in biodiversity/environmental conservation. This effort is intended to provide much-needed information to the Government of Sri Lanka for successfully meeting the country’s national and international environmental commitments.
Denver Denver De Zylva – Vice President, Virtusa (Pvt.) Ltd.
This comprehensive data gathering repository currently online, has multiple uses – one of which is that the Government of Sri Lanka will be able to easily identify private sector contributions towards its multiple national and international commitments, including the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP), the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for Climate Change Impacts in Sri Lanka, the UN SDGs and the country’s commitments towards the Bonn Challenge. The survey also documents hitherto un-available financial investments made towards these initiatives over a determined period.
In the first phase, a comprehensive database of projects carried out by BSL’s members was established. Upon completion of this initial phase, Virtusa made the survey software foolproof by addressing technological issues that appeared during the initial deployment. Further, the survey platform was upgraded with visually appealing graphics to attract the wider private sector to submit their project information with the inclusion of online analytical tools for reporting.
Following closely on the heels of this successful initiative in 2022, Virtusa extended further technical support to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Biodiversity Sri Lanka to design, establish and operationalize an online Plastic Waste Reporting System, the objective of which is to enable up to date reporting of plastic waste collection by corporates dealing with PET and HIPS and monitoring the fulfillment of their EPR commitments in terms of achieving national collect back targets. The reporting system will help regulatory authorities to assess the progress of the plastic waste collection of corporates dealing with plastic packaging at any given time. This reporting system is currently online and in use.
The support extended by Virtusa to these nationally significant efforts is a step in the right direction in the country’s sustainability journey.
Waste Collectors & Recyclers in the Kalutara District Trained
With the aim of facilitating the implementation of the recently launched Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)Model for Plastic Waste Management in the country, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) in partnership with the Western Province Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) undertook a training program for waste collectors and recyclers in the Kalutara District on June 23, 2022, at Hotel Panaroma. This program was conducted under the capacity-building component of the USAID-supported project to implement an EPR system for plastic waste management in Sri Lanka. Thirty-three (33) collectors and recyclers participated in the program despite prevailing transport issues, which is a significant indication of the level of interest amongst collectors and recyclers.
Mr. Nalin Mannapperuma, Director/ CEO of the WPWMA conducted an introductory session on Solid Waste Management. A practical session on the identification of recyclable materials and various plastic types was conducted by Mr. R. M. N. Silva, Deputy Director (Technical) of the WPWMAy. The practical session was very interactive as collectors and recyclers were asked to identify various plastic types from a set of plastic articles in a box and to explain the processing method applied for each type. Mr. B. D. Taranga, Industrial Development officer, Industrial Development Authority, Western Province presented the financial facilities available for collectors and recyclers. He mentioned that if the country was not facing transport and other serious economic issues at the moment, they would have conducted a session with the participation of representatives from leading banks to register collectors/ recyclers for loan facilities.
A SWOT analysis was conducted to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the plastic waste collection sector through group work. Four (4) panelists including representatives from Project Teams, WMA, and Eco-Spindles provided expert inputs for the analysis. They also discussed potential ways of addressing some of the pressing issues, such as obtaining business registrations, and the poor recognition accorded to collectors.
The session titled “How to become an entrepreneur” was conducted by Mr. Priyankara Dissanayaka, Manager Sourcing, Eco-Spindles. In his presentation, he briefly touched on theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship and also provided examples of successful entrepreneurs with references to their traits and the challenges faced during their journeys. A session on leadership was conducted by Mr. Nimal Premathilake, who provided practical insights on leader mindsets which are essential for achieving challenging milestones.
As a follow-up action, the participants were requested to register with the WPWMA. In this regard, relevant application forms were distributed during the program. Overall, the participants expressed that they gained new knowledge and mentioned that they are looking forward to engaging more closely with WPWMA for matters pertaining to their operations. Mr. Roshan Salinda who attended the program representing the Project and BSL pointed out that it is important to prioritize some of the most critical issues faced by waste collectors/ recyclers and subsequently work towards addressing each of them collectively with a timeline for the benefit of the country. In conclusion, the WPWMA, stated that as the principal organization responsible for managing solid waste management affairs in the Western Province, will remain committed to resolve issues faced by collectors/ recyclers to uplift the waste collection/ recycling industry in the province.
‘Life to Our Beaches’ partners with Samurdhi in Beach-caretaker training
Sri Lanka’s beaches are well-known worldwide for their elegance. The entire island is surrounded by beautiful coastal stretches of around 1,710 kilometers. Nevertheless, based on the anticipated volume of improperly handled garbage, Sri Lanka has been included among the top disposers of marine litter globally. (Meijer et al. 2021). Any persistent, manufactured, or processed solid material that is discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment is referred to as marine litter. When plastic waste is not properly disposed of, it can enter the marine food chain, endangering the health and safety of coastal and marine species. Therefore, it is essential to take action to maintain our beaches safe, clean, and free of any risks so that visitors could relax and enjoy the beach stretches around the country.
The solid debris that washes up on our coasts frequently originates from both domestic and international sources. Rubber, plastic, glass, and aluminum-based materials are often collected from our beaches. These can be used wisely to create valuable resources through upcycling and recycling. To preserve a safer and more sustainable coastal environment for the benefit of all, immediate actions must be taken to ensure that our beaches are regularly inspected, cleaned, and managed responsibly. In this regard, in collaboration with the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the Department of Samurdhi Development (DoSD), and member companies, BSL launched the programme called “Life to Our Beaches”. This programme has been designed as a Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), through which local communities also reap financial benefits by involving themselves in beach cleaning activities. They also derive an additional income by selling the recyclable waste collected.
With the participation of Patron Member DIMO, BSL operationalized a programme for the Dikovita beach stretch in Wattala. As the first step, BSL conducted technical training for the beach caretakers on collecting and identifying various types of plastics and other marine litter in the identified Dicovita stretch. The main objective of the training was to equip the beach caretakers with the necessary knowledge to identify the common types of plastic waste materials using an identification number. The 7 different kinds of plastics namely PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other plastic types were listed in order from 1 to 7. The packaging items and plastic bottles were utilized to demonstrate the common use of those plastic types.
The value of working as beach caretakers was recognized in the training program. It is a crucial service that helps in protecting the country’s stunning beaches. They were also made aware of the value of the trash they were collecting from the beaches and how they might sell it to supplement their family’s income. During the session, it was emphasized the need of taking health and safety measures when picking up rubbish on beaches. They were advised to keep records of the monthly collection in terms of the type of waste materials for monitoring purposes.
The project will continuously monitor the progress of beach cleaning activities and support the recyclable waste collected towards composting, recycling, and safe disposal. The Beach Caretaker Program is a breakthrough local conservation effort that inspires communities to act to protect their environment from coastal pollution whilst leading to socioeconomic gains. The Beach caretaker program is a powerful illustration of how community-led conservation programs can create a significant positive impact and alter the bleak future of the planet. They also serve as a reminder that every action, no matter how small, can have a rippling effect.
Ceylon Chamber and Ministry of Environment Propose ‘Collect-Back’ Plastic Waste Management Model for the Private Sector
To tackle the escalating issue of Sri Lanka’s plastic waste management, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has initiated the implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, which requires all stakeholders generating plastic waste to take responsibility for recycling and minimizing the use of plastic packaging.
‘The Ministry of Environment will support and welcome all initiatives started by the private sector including the implementation of the Collect-Back Target model proposed by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Central Environmental Authority will closely monitor the progress of proposed mechanisms and complete the legal provisions required for meeting efficient outcomes from each method. The Ministry of Environment and the Central Environmental Authority reiterate the necessity of playing an active role by the private sector to adhere to the EPR principle with Best Available Technologies’, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated.
The Ceylon Chamber and Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) developed the EPR Roadmap in 2021, to provide a strategic plan for plastic waste management in Sri Lanka. The implementation of the Mandatory Reporting and Collect-Back (MRCB) model was recommended under this EPR Roadmap. This EPR scheme based on MRCB model was developed under the guidance of a Project Steering Committee comprising of key Government Agencies including; Ministry of Environment, Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Coast Conservation & Coastal Resource Management Department (CC&CRMD), Western Province Waste Management Authority (WPWMA), State Ministry of Provincial Councils & Local Government Affairs, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and IUCN Sri Lanka as well as private sector representatives from beverage, water bottling and dairy sectors.
The MRCB model requires plastic users to declare their annual usage and pledge to collect back an agreed-upon percentage, targeted to reach close to 100% over a five-year period. The initiative aims to increase plastic waste collection and recycling in order to minimize plastic pollution. The proposed Collect-Back Target model has been endorsed by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and welcomed by the private sector.
‘There is an urgent need for an integrated and collaborative approach within the plastic value chain in order to implement a sustainable framework, ensuring effective and effective plastic waste management. The Collect-Back Target model will help to promote greater accountability among corporates and ensure an efficient system of monitoring and evaluation’, said CEO and Secretary-General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Manjula de Silva.
At this event, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment launched the online reporting system, which was designed and developed by Virtusa Pvt Ltd., on which platform the private sector will commence reporting on waste collection and recycling.. The initial phase will focus on two types of plastics, namely, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) packaging. The outcome of voluntary EPR implementation will be documented to draw lessons that can be applied to a mandatory collection and reporting system in the future.
The project is guided by a high-level multi-stakeholder Project Steering Committee, co-chaired by the MoE Secretary to the MoE and the Secretary-General of the CCC.
Life: Facilitating Connectivity Through Ecological Restoration in Kanneliya In Partnership With American And Efird Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd
Biodiversity Sri Lanka in partnership with the Forest Department, IUCN Sri Lanka and 10 selected private sector partners initiated the implementation of the project “Restoration and Management of a Degraded Fern Land in Kanneliya Forest Reserve” at Opatha in Kanneliya in February 2018. The site selected for restoration is best described as a degraded rainforest which has been cleared for cultivation and subsequently abandoned resulting in the colonization by the pioneer fern species Dicranopteris linearis (Kekilla). Despite the challenges, the project has advanced significantly. A significant proportion of the site is now under intensive ecological restoration practices. Further, it is encouraging to note the structural changes in vegetation as well as the resurgence of some new species of fauna after four years of restoration.
While activities were progressing successfully, American & Efird Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (A&E Lanka) came on board to support the restoration of an additional two-hectare degraded plot, adjacent to the existing restoration area, which would bring about connectivity between it and the nearby rainforest. This would facilitate wildlife movements across the area. The first year of A&E Lanka’s efforts have just concluded and we are moving into the second year. Notable progress has been made in the 1st year of the Project.
Based on the experience gained through the main Project, several adaptive restoration practices have been introduced. These practices have been instrumental in accelerating plant growth and increasing plant survival rates. The invasive Kekilla fern has been removed from approximately 60% of the A&E site. 2,412 large-sized (60cm3) planting pits prepared, soil conservation bunds introduced in a 1.2 ha area to prevent soil erosion, and clay pitches buried next to selected plants located in the dry, hilly areas of the site to ensure continuous water availability to plants during dry periods were some of the measures introduced. The on-site nursery produced and managed high-quality healthy plants. 18 native plant species and Glyricidia were introduced during the period. In addition, natural regeneration of two native species Veraniya and Mahabovitiya were observed after the removal of Kekilla.
The new site has attracted several species of butterflies, bees, and other nectar-feeding insects. The colonization of nectar and pollen-feeding insect species in the site indicates that ecological restoration is heading in the right direction because insects are often used to monitor the progress of the ecological restoration. Five (5) butterfly species – Ceylon Rose, Lemon Emigrant, Mottled Emigrant, Jezebel, and Three-spot Grass Yellow were recorded at the site as well as two (2) bee species – Carpenter Bee and the Eastern Honey Bee. In addition to ecological benefits, the Project provides social benefits including employment opportunities to adjacent communities. Overall, the project has made significant strides during the period under consideration towards its goal of converting the site to a well-functioning rainforest in the long run.
“LEVERAGE OR LIABILITY?” Conserving Biological Diversity in an Economic Collapse
Biodiversity Sri Lanka joined hands with the French Embassy, Bandaranaike Center for International Studies (BCIS), Dilmah Conservation, Commercial Bank, and MAS Kreeda in featuring world-renowned scientist, Sri Lankan author, and educator Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, as the keynote speaker at BSL’s flagship event in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity and World Environment Day, 2022.
The event was held on June 8th, 2022 at the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies (BCIS), Colombo 07. French Ambassador H. E. Mr. Eric Lavertu and Ambassador Sumith Nakandala delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the French Embassy and the BCIS respectively. Brief interventions followed by event sponsors, Commercial Bank and MAS Kreeda. As the first Carbon Neutral Bank in Sri Lanka, Commercial Bank shared recent experiences from mangrove restoration efforts in Koggala and a Marine Turtle Conservation Program in Panama. MAS Kreeda presented the company’s iconic aerial reforestation project in Nochchiyagama which was done through seed bombing technology for the first time in the country. Other projects that MAS has carried out include invasive species removal in Lunugamwehera National Park, and the setting up of ocean strainers, collecting trash for recycling.
Introducing Dr Rohan Pethiyagoda, Mr Dilhan C Fernando, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of BSL stated that he is Sri Lanka’s leading naturalist and taxonomist of freshwater fish of Sri Lanka, recently winning the prestigious “Linnean Medal” awarded by the Linnean Society of London – the world’s oldest active society devoted to natural history. This medal is awarded annually by the council of the Linnean Society alternately to one or two biologists (in any field), as an expression of the society’s esteem and appreciation for service to science. Dr. Pethiyagoda is the first Sri Lankan scientist, and the second Asian scientist honored with this award since the program began way back in 1888. He also won the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2000 for his 25-ha Agrapatana montane forest restoration initiative. Besides the restoration work, the forest was home to a conservation-breeding center for rare species of lizards, mice, shrews, and frogs. As the forest’s tendrils regrew, hundreds of long-absent wild creatures began to appear – leading to the discovery of over 200 species new to science. One of Dr. Pethiyagoda’s first books was a comprehensive color guide to the freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka – a best seller.
In his keynote speech titled “LEVERAGE OR LIABILITY?” Conserving Biological Diversity in an Economic Collapse, Dr. Pethiyagoda pointed out that the country we live in today is fundamentally different from Sri Lanka one year ago. He said it is crucial to pinpoint the cause of this situation, to understand the consequences of the current instability in the country. In such situations, it is inevitable that the environment falls to the bottom of the list of priorities. So, for us, as a country to benefit from our situation, we must recognize and grab whatever available opportunities there are despite the bleak picture. Pointing out some of the flawed policy decisions made in the recent past in Sri Lanka, he indicated that sometimes, wrong decisions are made with good intentions. He emphasized that environmental sustainability should be at the heart of any national policy framework. If not soil fertility, biodiversity, water, and health issues would inevitably result. With reference to the ban on agro-chemicals in Sri Lanka, Dr. Pethiyagoda elaborated that the Government failed to recognize the long-term implications of such a decision resulting in an enhanced likelihood of future food shortages in the country.
He proposed leveraging biodiversity to provide for dealing with protein deficiencies and child malnutrition in Sri Lanka. Pointing out that while Sri Lanka has 10,000 freshwater reservoirs which could be used for fish harvesting, most of which are in the dry zone where the poverty levels are the highest, only 7.6% of this freshwater extent is used for fish harvesting. Such opportunities should be garnered. He noted that the country needs to reduce fossil fuel-based energy usage primarily by increasing the production of fuelwood. He was of the view that wind and solar energy will also be helpful in ensuring energy resilience, but it will take a lot of time and money to eliminate at least 40% of the country’s liquid petroleum requirements. He calculated that the country will require around 130,000 ha of plantation forests to replace all the liquefied petroleum gas that it now imports. We cannot achieve this, because Sri Lanka has only 80,000 ha of fuel wood plantations available to us, but we can at least replace half of our LP gas requirements with timber from fuel wood plantations. So, harvesting existing fuelwood and planting new timber trees could become an opportunity. He also suggested that mature plantation forests be harvested over the course of next year which will provide the timber we need for building materials. He recognized blue-green bonds as a credible financial instrument for funding projects with positive environmental effects. Sri Lanka lags behind in introducing these financial instruments but, he opined it is never too late. We may perhaps issue green bonds to facilitate the tourism industry to go off-grid on power as electricity supply is one of the major issues we are currently experiencing.
He concluded that as we handle biodiversity problems and possibilities in the coming decade, there are many additional things that could be done to assist in the current situation, but in the words of Dr. Pethiyagoda, “let’s try to stick to what is feasible, practical, and essential”.
The mesmerizing migratory – Blue-Tailed Bee Eater (Merops phillippinus) නිල්පෙඳ බිඟුහරයා
World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated internationally on 14th May 2022. We celebrated with Mr Sarinda Unamboowe, well known wildlife enthusiast, bird photographer and former Director of BSL, talking to us about our feathered friends that fly to warmer climes for winter and then return home to breed. If you missed it, you can watch on:
https://fb.watch/c-94DFuBfw/
Every year, many bird species move thousands of kilometers. Migration is driven by the availability of food sources and more pleasant weather patterns. Places, where there is plenty of food and birds, may securely build nests. Flyways are the flying pathways that birds use during their annual migrations. A bird’s navigational ability is remarkable, while Scientists are not entirely sure how birds navigate their flyways.
Sri Lanka, a tropical island with various ecosystems, supplying yummy food for these tired travelers, making our country a favorite destination year-round stop for migrating birds.
While the number of migrants expected on our beaches is large, the arrival of the colorful and noticeable species marks the start of the “migration season.” Brightly colored bee-eaters are one of the most intriguing groups of birds among them. They may be found in most of the island’s national parks and bird sanctuaries. Their brightly colored feathers attract the attention of bird watchers.
The Little Green Bee Eater, Chestnut Headed Bee Eater, and Blue Tailed Bee Eater are the only three notable species of bee-eaters found in Sri Lanka.
The migratory Blue-tailed Bee Eaters are lovely to look at, with rich shades of blue and green, and gold on their plumage. They visit us from their breeding grounds in Southeast Asia. They don’t usually nest in trees. Instead, they build colonies on the sides of rivers or in open flat areas. They dig a long tunnel into which they lay approximately 5-7 white eggs.
They’re also known as the “Blue-cheeked Bee-eater” in various regions of the world. A thin blue patch with a black eye stripe and a yellow and brown throat are key distinguishing features on its face. The tail has a stunning iridescent blue color. It has two extended middle tail feathers and can grow to be 23-26 cm long. Both sexes are similar.
The majority of blue-tailed bee-eaters migrate, while small groups settle in the southeastern coastal area as permanent inhabitants. They inhabit the eastern shore of the island, from Bundala to Pottuvil. They may be seen in every corner of the island during the migratory season.
They are expert hunters. Bees, wasps, hornets, and dragonflies are among the insects they consume. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy seeing them demonstrating their aerial dexterity by snatching insects in mid-flight. Their magnificent aerial attacks provide wildlife photographers with a fantastic chance.
They detoxify wasps or bees before eating them. Surprisingly, this little bird can consume roughly 250 bees every day.
Sand bathing is something that bee-eater flocks do practically any day of the year. This is a necessary activity for bee-eaters, who appear to like the sensation of dust on their feathers. It is an attempt to clear their body of parasites.
As social creatures, they frequently appear in groups. Bee-eaters have a sophisticated social system. Many species show monogamy. The couples are highly attached and have been together for many years. Most bee-eater species share this remarkable habit known as courtship feeding. The male collects the prey and feeds his partner during courting.
Let’s ensure that we conserve our habitats so that these much-awaited visitors can enjoy our beautiful island!
