Expert session on how to tackle ‘Illegal Trade in Wildlife’ on 9 June

Tuesday, 7 June 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lankan biodiversity enthusiasts will hold a an ‘Expert Session’ in view of the ‘World Environment Day’, which falls on 5 June to discuss ways and means of tackling ‘Illegal Trade in Wildlife’.

‘The Expert Session’ which will be conducted on 9 June is conducted jointly by the Biodiversity Sri Lanka, the Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka (IEPSL) and the Base for Enthusiasts of Environmental Science and Zoology (BEEZ), a student body with a common interest in Zoology and Environmental Sciences based at the University of Colombo.

The latest move by the local environmentalists comes as it was found that Sri Lanka is being used by the illegal wildlife traders operating between Africa and the East Asia region, as a point of their operations. This is proven through detection and seizure in 2012 by the Sri Lanka Customs, of a blood ivory container with 359 pieces on board weighing 1.5 tonnes, en-route to Dubai from Kenya. Another seizer of a massive consignment of 28 container loads of Madagascar Dalbergia timber (Rose Wood) worth $ 7 million, which was being transported from Zanzibar to Hong Kong via Sri Lanka in 2014, has also been recorded.

Department of Wildlife Conservation Director General Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya will deliver the keynote address on this theme and its relevance to Sri Lanka. This will be followed by a panel discussion with eminent professionals – Samantha Gunasekera, former Deputy Director of Customs, Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division, Akram Cassim, CEO, Colombo Jewellery Stores, Vasantha Leelananda, Executive Vice President, John Keells Group, Prof. Devaka Weerakoon, University of Colombo and IUCN and Jagath Gunawardena, Attorney at Law.

Sri Lanka is strategically located in the global maritime route and most of the container ships, particularly between Africa and the Gulf region, to the East Asian region, pass through the Colombo Port. A growing illegal wildlife trade between Africa and the East Asian region takes place on this shipping lane. The upcoming ‘Expert Session’ on tackling ‘Illegal Trade in Wildlife’ which is sponsored by Sampath Bank will be held on 9 June at the Senate Hall, College House, University of Colombo, starting at 4 p.m. If you wish to take part, please contact Sherani Ruberu, Projects and Events Coordinator – Biodiversity Sri Lanka, E mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +94.11.5588843 or +94.77.7470572.

World Environment Day (WED) which is commemorated on 5 June each year is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanising individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.