PROTECTION, CONSERVATION & FUTURE CHALLENGES: the views of a Legend of Conservation

By Prof Sarath

As Sri Lanka faces the greatest dangers, it ever has, to the health and integrity of its environment, wilderness areas and populations of wild creatures, the need to protect and conserve that which remains is of paramount importance.  Almost daily, the media reports of cases of deforestation, the killing of wild animals, encroachment into protected areas, pollution, and increased human – wildlife conflicts, and so the list goes on.  This spells disaster not just for the health, well-being and economy of the country and its people of this generation, but also for those of the future.  What we do today will determine the quality of the lives and life experiences of our progeny too.  The destruction must stop now, or the cost to Sri Lanka will be immeasurable, impossible to reverse, and paid for by our children?  Are we happy to stand by and let this happen?

VIDYA JOTHI 
EMERITUS PROFESSOR SARATH KOTAGAMA

Professor Kotagama is a legend of Sri Lankan Conservation and there is, perhaps no one better to address this topic as from his days as a 17-year old Environmental Activist, when still at school at S. Thomas’ College, to the 70-year old he is today, he has been at the heart of the conservation movement.  Unafraid to express his opinion, sometimes controversial, often misquoted, but always generous in sharing of his accumulated knowledge and experience, perhaps the greatest measure of Professor Kotagama’s success as a conservationist and scholar are the number of his students who have gone on to be not just leading academics in their own right, in conservation related subjects, but have also through their research and learning, provided the science necessary for continuing conservation efforts.  That is perhaps the finest tribute to his achievements which are, nevertheless,legion.
He has over 100 peer reviewed publications to his name, authored over 25 books on the environment, the fauna and flora of Sri Lanka and, of course, is perhaps best known for his books on birds, in Sinhala and English.  His principle research was on the Rainforest Bird Flocks of the Sinharaja World Heritage Forest which he carried out, continuously, for over 30 years.  Having supervised over 500 undergraduate student projects, over 50 Masters and over 25 PhD programmes, it is no wonder that he has been the recipient of the President’s Science Research Award, every year, since 2004.

In 2003, Professor Kotagama received the Distinguished Achievements Award from the Society of Conservation Biology, USA, becoming the first Sri Lankan to be so honoured, and only the third Asian so to be.
With such pedigree, volume of experience, and skill of communication, Professor Kotagama’s WNPS Nations Trust online lecture should not be missed, especially for those who wish our children, and theirs, to enjoy the wilderness experiences we have, benefit from the eco-services they provide, drink and bathe in unadulterated water, breathe clean air, and for Sri Lanka to continue to be a natural wonder of Asia.  

The Nations Trust WNPS Public Lecture is presented in association with Nations Trust Bank and open to all. Please sign up here https://forms.gle/4GJbg9bym2EzvvRt8