Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), in partnership with its members, government bodies, and conservation groups, continues to champion environmental stewardship through innovative restoration projects. One of BSL’s standout initiatives is the Life to Our Mangroves (LOM) project, which is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of vital blue carbon ecosystems in Sri Lanka.
The significance of blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, lies in their ability to sequester large amounts of carbon, thereby playing a crucial role in combating climate change. Mangroves, with their dense root systems, stabilise coastlines, reduce erosion, and provide critical habitats for various species. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s mangrove forests have faced severe degradation, especially due to human activities like shrimp farming.
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Planted mangroves
The LOM project, a key example of BSL’s vision for ecological conservation, began with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between BSL and the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wayamba University too has come on board providing technical and scientific advice. The initial phase of this ambitious project focused on the restoration of 10 hectares of degraded land within the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary in the North Western Province. This sanctuary is a critical habitat for many species, but decades of intensive shrimp aquaculture between the 1980s and 1990s severely disrupted the area’s natural ecosystems. By the late 1990s, the land was abandoned, but the damage from artificial barriers and pond dikes had already interrupted the natural hydrological flows necessary for the area’s regeneration.
With the assistance of the Wayamba University, the project has adopted a science-based approach to restore the natural water flow in the sanctuary. By studying the land’s contours and reintroducing tidal patterns, the project has effectively allowed water levels to regulate naturally, promoting sediment deposition and preparing the land for mangrove growth. As of now, 2.95 hectares have been successfully restored with native mangrove species, and an additional 3.08 hectares are in the process of preparation and planting. Looking forward, BSL plans to rehabilitate 7.9 hectares of land with mangrove associates and dry-zone plant species to recreate the natural ecosystem that once flourished in the area.
The success of the LOM project is largely driven by an impressive public-private partnership model. BSL’s efforts are supported by a growing number of key corporate partners such as Sampath Bank PLC, National Development Bank PLC (NDB), Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB), Dole Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Easwaran Brothers Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Dynawash Limited, Virtusa (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC Finance PLC, Dilmah Conservation, and Amana Bank. These organisations, by signing MOUs with BSL, are actively contributing to the restoration of Sri Lanka’s blue carbon ecosystems. Their involvement demonstrates how private sector engagement can enhance environmental conservation efforts, setting a precedent for future collaborations.
This collective endeavor serves as a powerful model of sustainable partnerships in environmental stewardship. Not only does the project focus on ecosystem restoration, but it also reinforces the importance of corporate responsibility in combating climate change and promoting biodiversity. Through the LOM project, BSL is setting an example of how collaboration between the private sector, government bodies, and conservation organisations can lead to meaningful, long-term environmental impact.
With further restoration efforts on the horizon, the Life to Our Mangroves project is poised to leave a lasting positive imprint on Sri Lanka’s coastal ecosystems, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change.
