Overseas School of Colombo donates Rs. 255,000 for Wetlands Conservation

The Overseas School of Colombo donated Rs. 255,000 raised by students at their annual Walk for Wetlands to the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. The money will be used to educate communities across Sri Lanka about preserving wetlands.

In May, the students of the Overseas School of Colombo held the Walk for Wetlands around the Thalangama Tank in Battaramulla. The students were very successful in raising money and at the same time became aware of the very diverse plant and animal life in wetlands. Holcim Cement was the main corporate sponsor. A number of other corporate sponsors also support the wetlands project.

The donation and student activities have been in collaboration with The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL). Professor Kotagama, President of FOGSL, was recently awarded the President's Award for Environmental Conservation. FOGSL is Sri Lanka's affiliate of Bird Life International and aims to promote bird study, bird conservation and research.

The Field Ornithological Group of Sri Lanka has published a Student's Wetland Pictorial Resource Book in English and in Sinhala to promote and educate the local schools and community on conservation.

FOGSL plans to continue to publish educational resources that will serve schools and interested communities near wetlands throughout the country.

The Overseas School of Colombo is already starting to plan the next Walk for Wetlands, to be held at the end of January 2006.