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Points: 16,285, Level: 81

Level up: 87%, 65 Points needed

Activity: 100%

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, renowned for its high biodiversity and ecological importance, is one of the oldest remaining natural rainforest environments in the world. Located in the interior wet zone of the South-west region of Sri Lanka, the heritage site comprises of a vivid landscape of mountains and ridges, above sea level. It was first recognised in 1936 as being the only patch of virgin tropical rain forest in the island.

Declared as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990, this primary tropical rainforest has more than 60% of trees which are endemic, with many of them considered as rare. It is also home to a wide variety of endemic wildlife, especially birds, and to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies.

In recognition of the importance of creating awareness on conservation of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka Telecom with the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) is continuing its "Preserving Heritage for Tomorrow,’ programme for the third consecutive year. The partnership which began in 2006, has led to many programmes being successfully held thus far, helping to create awareness amongst school children on the importance of nature conservation.

The FOGSL is an independent group based in the University of Colombo. Professor Sarath Kotagama, who is a renowned ornithologist in the country, leads the FOGSL team and also plays an active role in the development of the programme. The organization provides the necessary knowledge and guidance by engaging schools in a series of workshops, which are done onsite. This enables the children to have a hands-on learning experience, which is part of the process of educating them on the significance of protecting the world heritage site.

The programme comprises of a field workshop where there is a trip to the forest reserve, conducted on a monthly basis. Schools are selected from across the island by FOGSL, regardless of language, community and stream of education. They are provided with accommodation, transport, food and stationery, by Sri Lanka Telecom, helping them to interact with each other as well as to study the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Students are also given the opportunity to expand their knowledge on the importance of conservation and on the high level of bio diversity, a range of topographic and climatic variations as well as the remarkable proportion of endemic species that Sinharaja has to offer.

School children are also encouraged to form heritage societies in their schools, after completion of the programme. They will continue to receive necessary guidance and advice from FOGSL with regards to this. Also, photography and literature produced in the field workshop by the children are to be used as content for the Heritage Website Sri Lanka Telecom is planning to do.

It also offers an amazing experience to students, with them being able to see the levels of bio diversity and endemic species of flora and fauna at Sinharaja as well as meeting people who are dedicated to protecting the rainforest. This initiative goes a long way in creating awareness on the importance of conservation with the aim of giving students the necessary education as well as guidance to mould them into becoming exemplary citizens who lead a lifestyle of contentment whilst respecting their social obligations.

A long-term initiative of this nature, whose primary objective is to create attitudinal change towards conservation through awareness on the core values of the country’s bio diversity, goes a long way in reaching out to future generations. This programme gears up and uplifts the capabilities as well as the creativity of students in diversified tracks, while raising awareness on preserving nature for tomorrow.

SLT’s interest in preserving heritage for the future generation is not only confined to this programme. As the country’s premier communications provider, it also fulfills its role as a responsible corporate citizen, being the catalyst for economic and social prosperity. For years, the company has been committed to conservation through awareness, under its overall project ‘Preserving Heritage for Tomorrow,’ and it is an integral part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

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