Recent Events

Since acquiring the site at UdaKiruwa, we have engaged in the following activities towards realizing our objectives. These have been;

Developing Sites for ex-situ conservation

UdaKiruwa is an ideal site where the activity of ex-situ conservation can be combined with bio- diversity restoration – both important goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), as our baseline studies indicated that the aquatic fauna, especially the fish fauna of the rainforest was absent in the waterways of UdaKiruwa. This was due to the fact that the dry spell restricted the rainforests into small patches, and also impacted the fish fauna such that no rainforest fishes are found there today.

The Trust is working with the Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka to use their in-situ collection of rainforest fishes to provide stock for the replenishment of the streams of our forests and thereby create a population that will be stabilized and will restore the aquatic fauna of this rainforest. In pursuance of this, senior offices of the Zoological, Wild Life, and Forest Departments accompanied by Trust members did a visit to UdaKiruwa during September 2018 to identify suitable sites to release the aquatic fauna.

Improving the facilities at the site

To begin with, we improved the facilities at our only base for the present which is the house of our caretaker in the village, affectionately called “Banda Mama”. We constructed an attached and up to date bathroom, renovated an adjoining room and repainted the house.

Plant nursery

A  Plant nursery has been started on a 4 acre plot with a target to plant 1000 seeds of jungle seeds per month.

Boundary Survey

All boundaries were surveyed and marked with the assistance our surveyor Mr. Wimamaltilleke

Reaearch Study

The Trust facilitated a research study of the UdaKiruwa Forest to be carried out by a researcher from the US, Ms. Caroline MacKenzie,- the outcome of this study called the”Caroline Report” is available in the public domain. Referring this eco-system she commented “ My recommendation for the land would be to let it continue to regenerate and connect to the primary forests close by in order to provide less fragmented habitat for species present.“

“Colour Run”

Was a fund raising Walk organized by the Z Club in aid of the Rainforest Trust and took place on 11th March 2017. “Run or Die” was the theme. About 500 students from some of the leading schools in Colombo were participating, and the event took place at the Independence Square. The Trust thanks Miss Eshana Amarasingha, President of the Z Club and Dr. (Mrs) Mala Tudawe for promoting this event each year.

Strategic Partnerships

An MOU was signed between the Rainforest Trust and MAS Intimates (Pvt) Ltd, (a subsidiary of MAS Group), under which MAS Intimates will sponsor future purchase of forest land for conservation and fund sustainability objectives.