“CoCCo" for 'Wetland Conservation & Management in Sri Lanka'

The term 'Wetlands' or 'Wetland Parks' has become familiar among the public, as many of the suburbs are endowed with number of natural and man-made wetlands readily accessible to them, with many of them considered important, both locally and globally.

Although the hidden contribution of these ecosystems is well identified and unfathomable, their ecological health is on a downward trend. Against this backdrop, an important joint initiative was taken by the Departments of Zoology & Environment Sciences of the University of Colombo (UoC) and the University of Jaffna ( UoJ) in organizing “CoCCo” ( Collective Communities for Conservation), to commemorate World Wetland Day which was on February 2.

The programme was held on 1st February 2019 at the UoC's Faculty of Science, with the participation of more than 100 undergraduates from both Universities.

It was an interactive event which initiated a constructive dialogue on ' Wetland Conservation and Management in Sri Lanka', providing an opportunity to share ideas and thoughts on Wetland Conservation and Management while promoting ethnic harmony and friendship.

UoC's Head of the Department of Zoology & Environment S c i e n c e s, P ro f . Dee p t h i Wickramasinghe in her welcome address, spoke of the importance of Wetlands.

Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. K.R.R. Mahanama, speaking next, emphasised the importance of conserving Wetlands as a part of environmental conservation.

Wetlands are priceless land, not wasteland and therefore, should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities. Elaborating on this under ‘ The Role of an International Wetland City’ was UoC representative Lushanya Dayathilake.

Although Sri Lanka is blessed with plenty of Wetlands, most of them are diminishing rapidly with the present urbanization. Addressing these issues on the topic ‘Wetland and Conservation’, UoC undergraduates shared their views at the event.

Elaborating on these aspects, undergraduates of both universities presented innovative concepts through drama and song, giving a broader perspective on the importance of conservation and investing on wetlands for their multiple benefits.

Wetlands are valuable integral parts of a country’s unique ecological and biological diversity. Thus, this programme indeed expanded that positive notion in wetland conservation, to the future leaders of our country.