Preserving Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity

Sri Lanka is rich in biodiversity. We are blazing a trail towards a fuller exploration and conservation of the vast resources at our disposal. The neighbouring Western Ghats in India, Bhutan as well as Maldives with their success hearten us on towards greater awareness about the treasured natural habitats

We observed International Biodiversity Day on May 22 and this year is also named as International Year of Biodiversity, with the theme `Biodiversity for Development’. In 1992, the Biodiversity Convention that emerged from the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro was seen as a sea change in our attitudes towards biodiversity.

Sri Lanka has worked towards a discernible ethic of conservation through preservation techniques as well as efforts to prevent over-exploitation of scare species. Numerous organizations, agencies and research/academic staff seemed well-equipped to pursue that philosophy in a serious manner.

Sinharaja forest reserve

One of the most pristine hotspots is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, which encompasses 50 percent of the remaining lowland rainforest vegetation in Sri Lanka. Portions of the reserve have been protected since 1875, and it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1989.

Sixty-five percent of Sri Lanka’s 220 endemic tree and woody climber species and 270 species of vertebrates have been recorded there. Although public respect for Sinharaja’s splendid biodiversity has grown, the reserve still faces threats from those who encroach on the reserve via logging roads to collect non-timber forest products.

Nearly 100 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) have been identified through a process coordinated by the Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka and the University of Peradeniya, and involving a number of experts. Data on “Bird Areas” compiled by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka were incorporated into their records, along with published literature on species distributions, herbarium records.

Over 100 threatened species

Nearly all biodiversity areas are forest patches in the southwestern wet zone. All sites contain endemic species that are found nowhere else, and are therefore considered irreplaceable, with several sites having more than 100 globally threatened species. All of these sites technically have some form of protection, but there is a tremendous need to strengthen the management and monitoring of these areas.

Experts believe that we need to promote overall landscape-scale conservation, particularly reforestation and conservation of biological corridors in a productive way to help diversity persist in severely fragmented regions, even in the short term.

We need to complete a fauna and flora census to better study less known species of diverse fauna and flora. It was reported that in 2004 a new species of owl, the Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni), was identified and nine other bird species added to the list of endemics. Thus, the number of endemic species seemed somewhat under-estimated. The list of key biodiversity areas delineated will have to be modified as new data become available.

Latest reports indicate that Sri Lanka’s leading authority on biodiversity, Rohan Pethiyagoda, has proposed draft legislation that requires foreign or local companies wishing to protect the country’s biodiversity or conduct commercial research to enter into formal profit sharing agreements with the Government. They needed to be screened prior to involvement in Sri Lanka.

There are many plants endemic to Sri Lanka and Southern India. Research done so far-headed by Pethiyagoda, brought to light more than 250 species of higher animals/vertebrates- previously unknown to science: frogs, fish, mammals and lizards.

Frenetic search for new cures

Finally, we are inundated with media reports in the West of “new cures” for treatment of high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes and the race to corner the market and get the maximum advantage in the shortest possible time. That may not necessarily be the best option for the countries bent on preserving biodiversity.

There was a report that had alarmed the Indian authorities about companies studying the medicinal value of many species native to Asian region. The Loris (una hapuluwa) native to Sri Lanka and India had received greater focus. Loris with its low productive rate may face extinction due to loss of habitat if allowed to be subject to that type commercialization.

It was reported that Sooriya Mara, the large tree with a thick, grey bark, spreading branches gained significance in Denedro bio-energy applications as it laps up the sun (sooriya) and grows quickly.

A variety of this tree has been introduced into landscaping vocabulary in the West. Kattakumanjal or valerian is also considered to be capable of producing multiple medicinal uses. That is exported in large quantities to the West now.

Atta or Katu-Aaththa (Annona Muricata and Annona squamosa), the well-known Sri Lankan fruit with white pulpy flesh, considered fibrous is mentioned as an excellent anti-cancer agent. The number of medicinal herbs touted in the internet incessantly is too numerous to be mentioned in full here. We need to ensure good monitoring programs as methods to safeguard the native varieties of herbal species while exploring their foreign exchange earning capacities, if considered vital.

There are enough labour resources needed for a task if students and amateur conservation and environmental groups are involved.

The active involvement of people is essential for a successful conservation effort. We know the sensational story of the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala. It enhanced our depth of attachment to biodiversity.