Stakeholder consultation for mangrove restoration and economic empowerment in Gampaha District

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources, in collaboration with the SLYCAN Trust, is organising a stakeholder consultation on mangrove ecosystem restoration and identifying the potential for community livelihood development in the Gampaha District.  Mangrove forests are immensely productive coastal ecosystems. They filter carbon from the air, protect the shoreline, offer habitats for countless species of plants and animals and provide raw materials for construction, food, handicrafts or medicine. They are sites of stunning natural beauty, hold cultural significance and can promote the well-being of local communities.

More than 20 species of mangroves thrive along Sri Lanka’s coastline but they have suffered destruction and degradation in the past. Restoring and expanding mangrove areas will reduce the impacts of climate change on Sri Lanka and support the sustainable development of coastal communities. For the communities living around them, mangrove ecosystems offer many economic opportunities, ranging from harvesting mangrove apples to investing in eco-tourism. The consultation will bring together relevant Government agencies and stakeholders to map out ways to connect mangrove restoration and conservation to livelihood development and economic diversification in the district.

The event aims to identify sustainable, mangrove-based livelihoods for communities in the Gampaha District which will facilitate scoping similar activities in other selected areas of the country.

For further information on the event, contact Sajani Ranasinghe on +94 76 636 9499 or email [email protected].