Three-day conference on biodiversity conservation successfully concluded

By Ifham Nizam

The Bio Conservation Society of Sri Lanka (BCSL) in collaboration with the Rufford Foundation, conducted a three-day conference on biodiversity conservation at the Oak-ray Regency Hotel in Kandy last week.

This conference was held under the theme “Let’s protect Sri Lankan Biodiversity – The Rufford second in-country conference – Sri Lanka” and facilitated more than 30 lectures and presentations of research findings.

BCSL Chairman Dr. Lalith Ekanayake, in his opening remarks, stated that the conference, held with the support of the Rufford Foundation, had facilitated the propagation of a large amount of information regarding research and conservation activities among young researchers.

He said the event had enabled a range of research activities involving both fauna and flora, and it had provided an opportunity to attract foreign exchange as well. It made available opportunities for both experienced and new researchers to engage in investigations, and many experts from forestry, wildlife as well as biodiversity expressed their views.

Keynote lectures on “Current human-wildlife conflicts and evidence on biodiversity imbalances in Sri Lanka” was delivered by Prof. Ashoka Dangolla from the Faculty of Veterinary Science and “Community participation for the sea turtles and coastal biodiversity conservation in Kalpitiya peninsula” by Dr. Lalith Ekanayake were presented.

On the second day, the keynote lecture was delivered by Mr. Thushan Kapurusinghe from the Turtle Conservation Project.   Prof Deepal Subasinghe – Institute of Fundamental Studies, Prof Kapila Dissanayake – University of Sabaragamuwa, Prof. Rupika Rajakaruna – University of Peradeniya, Dr. Kanishka Ukuwela – University of Rajarata, Dr. Darshani Singhalage – Uva Wellassa University, Mr. Ranjan Marasinghe – Director Operations, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nilmini Ranasinghe – Assistant Director, Biodiversity Secretariat also delivered lectures.

GCE A/L students from schools in Kandy were invited to attend the conference and it was a great experience for them.

A number of researchers from Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh shared their research findings and experiences with the participants of the conference via zoom.

On the final day, the participants were taken on a field trip to Deanston in the world heritage conserved reserve Knuckles and were presented certificates of participation from the Bio Conservation Society of Sri Lanka and the Rufford Foundation.