2 March 2024 12:10 am Views - 1226
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment, local communities, and partner organizations (including the governments of the US, UK and Australia) have been diligently working, without fanfare, to strengthen our coastal defenses. Their efforts have been focused on regenerating 10,000 hectares of mangrove forest by 2030, bolstering the country’s vegetation coverage by over 50%: “with 5000 households to benefit and more than 4000 new jobs to be created.” (source: UNEP.org) As we live on a small island, we are particularly susceptible to the dangers of an eroding coastline. These mangroves act as the initial defense for our precarious seashore, protecting it from the depletion caused by waves, tides, and currents.
This UNEP award will make Sri Lanka eligible additional funding (current requirement: approx. $3.5 million) Community-led groups are playing an integral part in this delicate rebalancing of the ecosystem, making Sri Lanka’s campaign a model for collaboration. In addition, Sri Lanka is a mangrove restoration pioneer – it was the first country to pass legislation to protect these precious coastal trees back in 2015.
Hot on the heels of this UNEP accolade is Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail’s topping of the National Geographic’s Best of the World 2024 list. The curated selection showcases the most exhilarating and breathtaking travel experiences, highlighting our 300 kilometer-plus path attraction - the country’s first long-distance walking/hiking trail, stretching from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, With 22 distinct trails on offer, visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy treks for a few hours or for multiple days. The trail’s sleek and user-friendly app features interactive maps that can be utilized in low-service areas or entirely offline, with sustainability tips shared along the way.
The European Union (EU) provided assistance and funding for the development of the Pekoe Trail, with additional support provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). To the outside world, Sri Lanka is undeniably a paradigm for sustainability across many sectors, most notably in sustainable development and tourism. Furthermore, the island is increasingly attracting artists and digital nomads.
Adding to the recent string of praise for the country is Conde Nast Traveller’s declaration that: “Sri Lanka’s south coast is the creative hotspot to know about for 2024.”
Sadly, due to what seems to be perpetual hard times in Sri Lanka, those of us who live here, tend to dwell on what is going wrong in this country of great promise, but it is also important to celebrate what the country is doing right, even if it takes Aquaman and other outside parties to remind us.