With this book we can all play a role in conserving Sinharaja
The chirping of birds and the sound of running water could be heard before the book launch began, giving guests the feeling that they were in a rainforest. As the speeches were delivered, images of the rainforest – its flora and fauna captured the audience and brought home the value and importance of preserving this unique eco-system.
The launch of ‘A review of the southern border of Sinharaja: Contemporary needs against conservation’ took place at the British Council Library on December 6. The book is written by Hafsa Hudha and Anushka Gunawardena, with images by Shehan Obeysekara, Kapila Ranasinghe and Dhanushka Dissanayaka.
EFL chairperson Dr. Eric Wikramanayake in his speech highlighted the pressing issue of climate change and how preserving natural ecosystems is vital in preventing climate change.
“Our objective in conducting this survey was to assess the present status of Sinharaja, and to identify the present conservation laws in place as well as discrepancies in its implementation. Based on these findings, this publication proposes recommendations that balance contemporary developmental requirements whilst protecting the conservation status of the rainforest,” Dr. Wikramanayake said.
The book’s introduction touches upon the significance of Sinharaja as well as its present status. Conservation laws that are in force are looked at closely with National Laws, Policies and Regulations, applicable international legal regulations all being touched on separately. Present day threats to the Sinharaja rainforest, such as the non-existence of a veritable buffer zone, extensive human activities and climate change have also been discussed extensively. Another chapter focuses on ways to achieve sustainable forest management, proposing a management plan for the Sinharaja forest reserve. The book has also attached the relevant legislation so that readers can look at the law and get a deeper understanding of the issues the book delves into.
EFL Chairperson Eric Wikramanayake
“The process in which we got the information was rather tiresome because it was difficult to figure out where we needed to look at because when you take Sinharaja there are several publications on the scientific aspect of it. However, when you look at the conservation side of it, there aren’t many publications. So, we had to go through all the existing national and international laws and see how it relates to the conservation of Sinharaja. It was a tedious process, but we are very happy with the outcome,” said co-author Hafsa Hudha.
“We visited Sinharaja, we carried out a series of interviews with the local authorities specifically in Neluwa. We also spoke to a member of a local community group ‘Sinharaja Sumithrayo’. In Colombo, we worked closely with the Forest Department and organisations that do ground level work within the peripheral villages of Sinharaja,” Hafsa added.
Co-author Hafsa Hudha
Other environmentalists also focused on the importance of the rainforest’s conservation. The Conservator General of the Forest Department, Anura Sathurusinghe highlighted how the Forest Department had co-operated and assisted with the writing of this book and how the Department deals with issues such as encroachment.
Guest speaker and Sinharaja expert Prof. Savitri Gunatilleke, touched upon issues such as how the locals once had a vast knowledge of the Sinharaja plant life and their medicinal applications but now this is fast disappearing. She also spoke about how it is extremely important to create a buffer zone so that villagers can utilise the plants and learn to live in harmony with them, as it was done in the past.
‘A review of the southern border of Sinharaja:Contemporary needs against conservation’, will be useful in preserving and protecting this endemic rainforest as it allows anyone, civilian or expert, avid champion of sustainability or a person curious about the issue, to be able to gain a substantial understanding of the southern border of the Sinharaja Rainforest and the laws pertaining to it.
The book is available at the Environmental Foundation Limited(EFL).