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A new project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has recently been launched to conserve biodiversity and enhance sustainable land management in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector. Titled “Partnerships and Innovative Financing to Mainstream Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Management in the Wet Climatic Zone of Sri Lanka,” the initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture & Plantation Industries, the State Ministry of Plantation Reforms, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka.
Mr. P.B.K. Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, emphasized the importance of conserving natural vegetation in tea and rubber plantations, which cover 25% of the wet zone. “This project aims to preserve biodiversity by promoting sustainable land management practices in key districts such as Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Matara, and Kalutara,” he said.
Ms. Tharangani Wickremasinghe, Additional Secretary of Tea Development & Plantation Policy, highlighted the need for integrating biodiversity into agricultural practices. “We must shift how we perceive and interact with our environment, promoting agroforestry, soil health, and climate resilience,” she stated.
Dr. Sugath Yalegama, Secretary of the Ministry of State Plantation Enterprise Reforms, noted the project’s goal of improving plantation productivity and community quality of life while maintaining ecological balance. “We aim to create a model for plantation management that supports both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity,” he said.
Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, stressed the importance of public-private-community partnerships. “This project’s innovative financing model with GEF sets the foundation for a new development paradigm that can be scaled up for greater impact,” she remarked.
This initiative sets a promising precedent for integrating environmental stewardship with agricultural development, aiming for a sustainable and prosperous future for Sri Lanka.
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