Current Campaigns
Below are some of our current campaigns.
1. Bellanwila - Attidiya Sanctuary Destroyed in the name of Development
On December 19th, a volunteer from Rainforest Protectors came across heavy machinery deployed into the Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary engaged in clearing the marsh. Upon investigation, the purpose of the clearing process is to build a road. More information has been documented in the media release below. Please immediately write/call to the Environment Ministry and any other person you know who can halt this destruction.
Tel: 11-2882112/13 (Ministry of Environment)
More information:
Click here to view Media Release from Rainforest Protectors
Click here to view Video clip of the destruction
2. Nationwide Campaign to Protect Endangered Sri Lankan Leopards
Sri Lankan Leopards and vanishing fast. We hear news of Leopards being trapped, snared, skinned and sold in the open market on a regular basis (please view the attached flyer). Leopards are constantly killed by traps set for Wild Boar, Sambur and other animals, as well as hunted directly by poachers due to market in China. Department of Wildlife has not been able to prevent these unfortunate deaths. At this rate, very soon tourists will only be able to see Leopards in the Zoo at best. Please help us spread awareness, stop the use of traps and snares and urge the Department of Wildlife to take stern action against poachers. Please download the attached flyer and email it to your friends, share on Facebook, urge everyone to report poaching activity to Police/DWLC and write to the Department of Wildlife.
Flyer (Please forward to your friends) - Protect Endangered Sri Lankan Leopards
1. Bellanwila - Attidiya Sanctuary Destroyed in the name of Development
On December 19th, a volunteer from Rainforest Protectors came across heavy machinery deployed into the Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary engaged in clearing the marsh. Upon investigation, the purpose of the clearing process is to build a road. More information has been documented in the media release below. Please immediately write/call to the Environment Ministry and any other person you know who can halt this destruction.
Tel: 11-2882112/13 (Ministry of Environment)
More information:
Click here to view Media Release from Rainforest Protectors
Click here to view Video clip of the destruction
2. Nationwide Campaign to Protect Endangered Sri Lankan Leopards
Sri Lankan Leopards and vanishing fast. We hear news of Leopards being trapped, snared, skinned and sold in the open market on a regular basis (please view the attached flyer). Leopards are constantly killed by traps set for Wild Boar, Sambur and other animals, as well as hunted directly by poachers due to market in China. Department of Wildlife has not been able to prevent these unfortunate deaths. At this rate, very soon tourists will only be able to see Leopards in the Zoo at best. Please help us spread awareness, stop the use of traps and snares and urge the Department of Wildlife to take stern action against poachers. Please download the attached flyer and email it to your friends, share on Facebook, urge everyone to report poaching activity to Police/DWLC and write to the Department of Wildlife.
Flyer (Please forward to your friends) - Protect Endangered Sri Lankan Leopards
Recent Campaigns
Below are some of our recent campaigns.
1. Save Muthurajawela Marsh from Politician blocking and selling it
50 Acres of Muthurajawela Marsh is currently being blocked and sold by a Politician in the Wattala area. Please immediately write/call to the Department of Wildlife / Environment Ministry and any other person you know who can halt this destruction. Below are some useful email addresses of DWLC: dg@dwc.gov.lk; wadawijesooriya@gmail.com; koralage2001@yahoo.com Tel: 011 2888585 (DWLC), Tel: 11-2882112/13 (Ministry of Environment)
More information:
http://www.lankacnews.com/sinhala/main-news/48658/
http://www.nation.lk/edition/component/k2/item/3126-muthurajawela-an-unnatural-disaster?.html
2. Save Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest from New Road Cutting Through It
A new road is currently being built through Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest buffer zone. At a time when illegal encroachment is threatning Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest, we need to be taking measures to give it strict protection status. However, it seems that politicians who just look for short term gain is destroying the natural treasures our ancestors handed over to our generation. RAT is currently on a mission to document the destruction caused by this new road and submit the information to local authorities who are supposed to protect the rainforest, media for reporting, as well as international authorities monitoring primary forest destruction in Sri Lanka.
More information:
Environmentalists concerned over road being constructed through Sri Lanka's World Heritage rain forest - Colombo Page
Now, Sinharaja under ‘road-threat’ - Sunday Times
Work on road bisecting Sinharaja commences despite opposition - Lanka Truth
Sinharaja poster announcing the construction of the illegal road... - Lanka Independent
Status: Per instructions by Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and per recommendations made by report prepared by a group of experts, the Sinharaja road construction has been halted
3. Letter Sent to President Rajapakse pleading to take action to stop current Environmental Destruction in the name of Development
Through hard work of many, RPSL and several concerned Sri Lankan citizens handed over a letter to Preseidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga addressed to President Rajapakse asking to take action to stop the current Environmental Destruction being carried out in the name of Development. The full letter is available for viewing through Lakdasun Forum http://www.lakdasun.org/forum/index.php?topic=4475.0
Status: No response was received from the President's office. However, a similar letter that was handed over to Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, resulted in him taking action to stop the Sinharaja road construction
1. Save Muthurajawela Marsh from Politician blocking and selling it
50 Acres of Muthurajawela Marsh is currently being blocked and sold by a Politician in the Wattala area. Please immediately write/call to the Department of Wildlife / Environment Ministry and any other person you know who can halt this destruction. Below are some useful email addresses of DWLC: dg@dwc.gov.lk; wadawijesooriya@gmail.com; koralage2001@yahoo.com Tel: 011 2888585 (DWLC), Tel: 11-2882112/13 (Ministry of Environment)
More information:
http://www.lankacnews.com/sinhala/main-news/48658/
http://www.nation.lk/edition/component/k2/item/3126-muthurajawela-an-unnatural-disaster?.html
2. Save Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest from New Road Cutting Through It
A new road is currently being built through Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest buffer zone. At a time when illegal encroachment is threatning Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest, we need to be taking measures to give it strict protection status. However, it seems that politicians who just look for short term gain is destroying the natural treasures our ancestors handed over to our generation. RAT is currently on a mission to document the destruction caused by this new road and submit the information to local authorities who are supposed to protect the rainforest, media for reporting, as well as international authorities monitoring primary forest destruction in Sri Lanka.
More information:
Environmentalists concerned over road being constructed through Sri Lanka's World Heritage rain forest - Colombo Page
Now, Sinharaja under ‘road-threat’ - Sunday Times
Work on road bisecting Sinharaja commences despite opposition - Lanka Truth
Sinharaja poster announcing the construction of the illegal road... - Lanka Independent
Status: Per instructions by Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and per recommendations made by report prepared by a group of experts, the Sinharaja road construction has been halted
3. Letter Sent to President Rajapakse pleading to take action to stop current Environmental Destruction in the name of Development
Through hard work of many, RPSL and several concerned Sri Lankan citizens handed over a letter to Preseidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga addressed to President Rajapakse asking to take action to stop the current Environmental Destruction being carried out in the name of Development. The full letter is available for viewing through Lakdasun Forum http://www.lakdasun.org/forum/index.php?topic=4475.0
Status: No response was received from the President's office. However, a similar letter that was handed over to Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, resulted in him taking action to stop the Sinharaja road construction