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Colombo’s sustainability depends on the conservation of its wetlands
View(s):The importance of the wetlands for a sustainable Colombo city will be the focus of this year’s World Wetland Day (WWD) which will be celebrated on 2 February this year.
A programme to create public awareness on this important subject is being organised by the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLRDC), which comes under the purview of the Megapolis Ministry and Western Province Development Ministry.
The proceedings will take the form of a week-long programme to be held at the Diyasaru Park at Thalawathugoda.
Despite the high population density in the area, approximately 20 sq km of the metropolis is covered by wetlands. Unfortunately, the expanding urban population is now encroaching into the wetlands. However wetlands play an integral role in sustaining the city and are in dire need of protection.
Presently a number of the wetland areas are being developed as recreational areas as a means to not only protect them but as a means of raising awareness of their bio-diversity and the role they play in protecting the environment.
The Diyatha Uyana, Beddagana Wetland Park, Weli park – Nawala, Bellanwila/Attidiya are some of the areas which have been developed in this manner.
The latest addition to this list is the Diyasaru Park located alongside the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Road near the House of Parliament.
The Diyasaru Park covers an area of 60 acres and is home to over 50 species of birds, over 25 species of butterfly, numerous species of fish, dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles.
The park is also home to a number of families of the elusive Fishing Cat.
The week-long ‘World Wetland Day’ programme commences on 28 January at the Diyasaru park with with the launching of Wetland Photography Exhibition.
There will also be other activities throughout the week with a public forum on the theme ‘Wetlands for Future of Colombo City’, scheduled to be held on 30 January at the OPA building at Colombo-07.
On 3 February, from 7.00 am, a number of public outdoor lectures and guided nature tours are being organized to explore the Diyasaru Park’s biodiversity .
The programme will feature nature walks and other activities for kids, all of which will be free. Children can be registered for the programmes by contacting 0718097339.