Bank's corporate social responsibility project aids Sri Lanka's wildlife corridor restoration, safeguarding forest pathways used by elephants and bolstering local communities through tree-planting efforts.
In an exciting development for forest conservation in Sri Lanka, a community-led initiative is underway in the Budunwela forest corridor. This project, spearheaded by volunteers from an international website, aims to restore and reconnect the fragmented forests, promoting biodiversity and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Restoration and Reconnection
The heart of the Budunwela project involves the establishment of a nursery for native species, funded by PLANT. This nursery will provide the necessary seedlings for reforestation efforts, a crucial step in reconnecting the fragmented habitats. Niranjan C. Figurado, Chief Country Officer for PLANT Sri Lanka, emphasised the importance of community-led reforestation, stating that it builds long-term ecological and economic resilience.
Monitoring and Research
Additional camera traps will be deployed to track the growth of the forest and monitor wildlife activity within the Budunwela corridor. These traps, which have already captured images of elephants moving between forest patches in search of food, water, and breeding areas, provide valuable insights into the health of the ecosystem. Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage from PLANT believes that nature is resilient if given a chance, and these observations support this view.
Community Involvement
The Budunwela project is not just about planting trees. It's about building connections, both with the land and with the local communities. This initiative involves local communities in fieldwork and labor, creating jobs and strengthening community ties to the land. By engaging with the community, the project aims to promote coexistence with wildlife, reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Looking Ahead
The next phase of planting in the Budunwela project is scheduled for the arrival of the rainy season. During this phase, permanent monitoring plots will be established to track the progress of the reforestation efforts. As the project continues to grow, so too will the opportunities for conservation, education, and community engagement in Sri Lanka.
While the specific details of the Budunwela forest corridor project may still be emerging, its focus on community-led reforestation, wildlife monitoring, and education aligns with broader conservation strategies. Events like the Earth Summit 2025 emphasise the importance of international cooperation in addressing biodiversity challenges, and initiatives like the Budunwela project demonstrate the power of community engagement and local partnerships in preserving Sri Lanka's precious forest corridors.
Science and technology play integral roles in the Budunwela project, with camera traps employed for monitoring wildlife activity and data analysis, contributing to the field of environmental science. Finance and business aspects are addressed through partnerships and funding from PLANT, ensuring the success of reforestation initiatives. The project's focus on community involvement emphasizes the potential for grassroots efforts to drive positive change in climate-change mitigation and conservation, transcending boundaries of traditional business models and financial structures.
