Phase 1 Completion: In collaboration with Norlanka, the Environmental Conservation and Management Society at the University of Kelaniya successfully completed Phase 1 of a significant mangrove restoration project in the coastal region of Chilaw. This phase involved the restoration of 650 mangrove plants, which play a critical role in protecting coastal ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.

Carbon Sequestration Impact: The restoration of these mangroves contributes to carbon sequestration, with an estimated absorption of 7,995 kg of CO₂ annually. Over the lifetime of these 650 mangrove plants, approximately 199,875 kg of CO₂ will be removed from the atmosphere, significantly contributing to carbon neutrality and climate change mitigation.

For more details -

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/norlanka_norlanka-environment-impact-activity-6998906768340762624-8Aha/?trk=public_profile_like_view&originalSubdomain=lk

https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2022/12/04/norlanka-and-kelaniya-university-mangrove-conservation-efforts

https://island.lk/norlanka-and-university-of-kelaniya-take-the-lead-in-mangrove-conservation-efforts-carbon-neutralization/ 

1. Project Objectives and Scope

• Environmental Restoration: Project Swabha aims to tackle climate change by restoring local ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and reducing environmental impacts caused by pollution and unsustainable practices.

• Community Engagement: This initiative brings together local communities, raising awareness about sustainable practices and encouraging active participation in climate action.

2. Collaboration with Spa Ceylon

• Through its partnership with Spa Ceylon, Project Swabha leverages resources and expertise to amplify its impact, enabling the community to adopt environmentally responsible habits and implement green solutions effectively.

3. Focused Climate and Sustainability Efforts

• Project Swabha supports reforestation and clean-up activities, educates community members about waste reduction, and promotes the conservation of local flora and fauna. This project is a powerful example of how community-driven efforts can contribute to climate adaptation and environmental resilience.

For more details - Refer page No 130

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PSjJrhBS58K4vB5J3Zwjc7hVe5-dHu39/view?usp=drive_link

1. Project Purpose and Conservation Goals

• Ecosystem Protection: Sobaraksha goes beyond traditional reforestation efforts by focusing on holistic ecosystem conservation, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing habitat quality for local wildlife.

• Sustainable Approach: Unlike conventional tree planting campaigns, Sobaraksha leverages the university's resources and expertise to ensure that conservation efforts are sustainable and impactful, providing long-term ecological benefits.

2. Community Engagement and Participation

• Involvement of Stakeholders: The project brings together 35 students and 5 government officers, fostering collaboration between university members and local authorities to maximize conservation efforts.

• Educational Impact: Sobaraksha emphasizes environmental education, raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem health among participants and local communities.

For more details - Refer page No 122-124

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PSjJrhBS58K4vB5J3Zwjc7hVe5-dHu39/view?usp=drive_link

1. Program Objectives

• Combating Misinformation: The program addresses the growing issue of climate misinformation by enhancing participants' media literacy skills, enabling them to identify and challenge false or misleading climate information.

• Raising Climate Awareness: By educating participants on climate science and responsible media consumption, the program contributes to a more climate-conscious and informed community.

2. Community Engagement and Impact

• Participants: The program engaged 60 individuals, providing them with tools to analyze and verify climate information, helping them become informed advocates for climate action.

• Broader Educational Reach: Through discussions, workshops, and media analysis exercises, participants gain insights into climate change science and the effects of misinformation on public perception and policy.

For more details - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=217790867674719&set=pcb.217793141007825 

1. Program Highlights and Objectives

• Promoting Environmental Responsibility: The cleanup program aimed to reduce litter, restore natural beauty, and create a cleaner, healthier environment at the National Zoological Gardens. Through active participation, volunteers learned the value of preserving natural spaces.

• Building Awareness: By engaging in direct conservation activities, participants developed a deeper awareness of the environmental impact of waste and the importance of maintaining public areas.

2. Community Involvement and Impact

• Participation: The program saw active involvement from 80 volunteers, including university students and community members, who collectively contributed to cleaning and beautifying the zoo premises.

For more details - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=753401429917319&set=pcb.753402469917215 

1. Program Objectives and Awareness

• Understanding Greenwashing: The initiative addresses the concept of greenwashing—where organizations exaggerate or misrepresent their environmental efforts. Participants learn to critically evaluate sustainability claims and recognize genuine climate actions, promoting accountability in environmental practices.

• Quantifying Impact: By emphasizing measurable sustainability indicators, the program teaches participants how to assess the real impact of climate initiatives, fostering a culture of transparency and credibility in environmental reporting.

2. Community Engagement and Skill Development

• Participation: With 100 attendees, this program brought together students and staff who are passionate about responsible environmental action. Through workshops and discussions, participants gained skills to critically analyze sustainability metrics and practices.

• Promoting Ethical Climate Action: This initiative empowers individuals to support and advocate for verifiable, effective climate actions, helping to build a responsible and informed community.

For more details - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=773884277869034&set=pcb.773884584535670 

Under this program, collected plastics from the campus are handed over to Beira Enviro Solutions (Pvt) Ltd on a monthly basis. This partnership ensures that plastics are recycled effectively, diverting waste from landfills and reducing the environmental impact of plastic disposal.