Cleaning up Madu Ganga
Students of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo – one of the Universities offering youth the chance to learn, practice and preserve indigenous medicine – contributed recently to protecting the environment.
Project Madu Ganga is an initiative by the “Community Service Avenue” of the Rotaract Club of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo to increase public awareness on the importance of protecting the Madu Ganga Ramsar wetland under the citations of “wildlife and animal welfare”.
A beach cleanup at the point where the Madu Ganga meets the ocean also took place.
Madu Ganga, a bio- rich wetland, was declared under the Ramsar convection on December 11, 2003. It covers an area of over 915 hectares and is located in the south of Sri Lanka. It consists of 25 islands with lush cover of mangroves and the largest creeper of Entada pursaetha in the country. Many globally/ nationally endangered, endemic and rare species such as Shorea affinis, Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) and Purple-faced Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus vetulus), and the Estuarine Crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus), Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata), Indian Python (Python molurus) find shelter here. It is also a breeding ground for many types of fish and birds.
Its ancient value in regards to the cultural heritage of “Pearl Island” is located within it. Historical references of a well-established medical system within the country in the past can also be proved by analysing the practices followed even today by the islanders.
The project aims to create a biographical video of the sanctuary, its important locations, to preserve and to showcase the natural beauty of this lush green wetland, which will be released online to urge governments and related parties to ensure more protection towards this valuable wetland that needs to be protected for future generations.
The beach cleanup was a part of the project that was initiated by the guidance of the public health inspectors of the area. Non-biodegradable glass, plastic, polymers, polythene and other harmful garbage by the Madu Ganga beach was safely disposed and the beach was made safe for all its beneficiaries to enjoy.