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]
