FORMING PARTNERSHIPS TO PRESERVE SRI LANKA'S BIODIVERSITY

SLWCS projects offer great opportunities for regular people to get involved in actual field research, in-situ conservation, community development and capacity building programs. We have been working with volunteers since 2000 and they have helped us immensely in fulfilling our goals and objectives. SLWCSs strong community and government institution ties, logistical capabilities and experience in in-situ research also enables us to effectively partner with trained individuals and groups from universities and conservation groups in conducting research and community development programs.

Independent volunteers have joined us since 2003 to help initiate and sustain various projects aimed at helping us achieve our long term mission and vision. We have a need for individuals with the relevant background and experience to work on both our existing and planned projects around Sri Lanka. Unless otherwise discussed and mentioned individuals who apply must be at least partially funded and be willing to commit at least 1 month in Sri Lanka plus necessary time before and after the project in completing the identified objectives.

Email SLWCS:info@slwcs.org

Environmental Issues in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has high biodiversity distributed in a range of ecosystems from rainforests to savannas. About 27 percent of the country's plants are endemic and 22 percent of its amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. In 2005, researchers confirmed the discovery of 35 new frog species in Sri Lanka over the past decade. Sri Lanka is known as a global biodiversity hotspot for its high number of species in a relatively limited area. The island's frog diversity illustrates this point: despite covering only 0.013 percent of the world's land surface, Sri Lanka is home to more than 2 percent percent of the world's known frog and toad species. The island is also home to 3,210 flowering plant species, of which 916 species are endemic.

While Sri Lanka may be known for its biodiversity, this biological wealth is highly threatened—the same survey found that 17 of Sri Lanka's frogs have disappeared in the past decade and another 11 species face imminent extinction unless their habitat is protected. Habitat loss is the leading threat to Sri Lanka's native ecosystems. Conservation International estimates that only around 1.5 percent of the island's original forest remains (FAO figures are more optimistic). Much of this forest was lost under British colonial rule, when large tracts of forest were cleared for rubber, coffee, and tea plantations, but Sri Lanka's forests have also suffered dearly under years of civil war which has led to large-scale forest clearing. During the 1980s and early 1990s, government soldiers cleared the island's rainforests because they served as refuges for rebel forces. At the same time, fighting destroyed homes and displaced small-scale farmers who then sought new lands in forested areas. Government figures show that the army and Tamil rebels felled more than 2.5 million palmyrah trees alone for construction purposes. In the wake of the tsunami which killed some 31,000 people and caused more than $1.5 billion in property damage, reconstruction efforts have only increased the pressure on Sri Lanka's forests.

Over the past 15 years (1990-2005), Sri Lanka has had one of the highest deforestation rates of primary forests in the world. In that period the country lost more than 35 percent of its old-growth forest cover, while total forest cover was diminished by almost 18 percent. Worse, since the close of the 1990s, deforestation rates have increased by more than 25 percent.

 

 

Sri Lanka Surfing

With a wide range of excellent locations on both the east and southwest coast (each suitable at different times of year according to the monsoon seasons)

Sri Lanka is a year-round surfing destination. Sri Lanka has been recognised by the international surfing community for some time now, with the east coast's ARUGAM BAY boasting an annual international surfing competition and HIKKADUWA hosting National Championships.

 

 

 

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Lanka Surf Trips is an established company in Sri Lanka offering a range of surf tours on the south and east coast as well as surf lessons located at both Hikkaduwa and Arugam Bay. Lanka Surf Trips is a reliable, professional family run company, with fun, honesty and friendship being the priority.

 

Contact Emails at Lankasurftrips

sarah@lankasurftrips.com
chaminda@lankasurftrips.com

 

Click Here for more info on Lankasurftrips

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HIKKADUWA is a very popular beach destination just a few hours (98 Km's) from Colombo on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. There is an equally varied choice of Beach and Sea for tourists. Coral for snorkellers, waves for body and board surfers and a wide strip of sand. Also a number of Cafes & eateries line the stretch of the Road in Hikkaduwa if u want to just sit back ,relax & have a " bite "feeling the sea breeze. Hikkaduwa is indeed a modern destination for sun-seekers and wave worshippers.

 

 

ARUGAMBAY is the location of one of the best points in the world. Situated on the South East side of Sri Lanka Arugam Bay receives the same Antarctic winter swell's that hit Indonesia in the in the middle of the year. The best time of the year is between May and November when the predominant wind is offshore for at least the first half of the day.

Due to its location and southerly swell direction the area is dominated by right hand point breaks. There is a beach break in front of the Stardust Hotel, which can be fun for body surfing or for beginners but that's about it.

Three of the point breaks "The Point", "Pottuvil Point" and "Crocodile Rock" are within a ½ hour tuk-tuk ride from the center of line of hotels. There are several other points that are within a 1½-hour's ride or can be accessed by boat.