Species-rich mangrove forests
Mangrove forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world. The high speed of destruction - almost unnoticed by the public - is alarming. During the past 100 years, nearly 50 % of the mangroves were irrecoverably destroyed through logging and draining of wetlands for the establishment of palm oil and banana plantations. Additionally, they are often used as rubbish dumps. Wetlands play an important role in climate protection as they can store large quantities of organic materiel, in other words carbon. Threatened species such as the Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel depend on intact mangrove forests, mangroves serve also as important spawning grounds and nurseries for fish. Additionally, they form a protection belt against tidal waves. During the past three years, GNF and its partners in Sri Lanka, have reforested over 50 hectares and planted more than 100.000 mangrove plants, which were cultivated in newly established tree nurseries.
Solar lamps protect wetlands
Fishing is another threat to the sensitive wetlands in Sri Lanka. The traditional shrimp fishing method is an important source of income for the local people. Fishermen use kerosene lamps to attract shrimps and fish at night, but the traditionally used lamps have many disadvantages: the kerosene is expensive and extremely harmful to the shallow water. Strong winds blow out the lamps and leaking kerosene can pollute the water.
A practical, technically reliable and affordable method is the use of LED lamps combining long lifetime with low power consumption. They are significantly cheaper and contribute to wetland protection. Currently, 150 fishermen use the new lamps. The goal is to provide LED lamps for further 1000 inland fishermen and train them in the use of these lamps.
Successful project will be continued
The project areas at the lakes Maduganga, Madampe and Bolgoda will be enlarged by three new lake regions. Mangrove nurseries will be established there and damaged mangrove forests reforested. Additionally, the local population will be informed about the negative consequences of logging of mangrove trees. In the Halwatura wetland 100 hectares land can be purchased for conservation. The ecologically valuable areas are quite cheap as they are located in a hard-to-reach swamp wetland. The purchase of these areas will prevent the establishment of banana plantations and illegal rubbish dumping.
