Dilly & Carlo partners Field Ornithology Group for conservation

Friday, 3 October 2014 04:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo’s prestigious clothing store, Dilly & Carlo, joined hands with one of Sri Lanka’s foremost nature organisations FOGSL headed by the well known bird specialist Prof. Sarath Kotagama, in a drive to create awareness about the environment under the title ‘Committed for Conservation’. FOGSL started in the year 1976 under the vision of Prof. Kotagama and six others in an attempt to create awareness among people about birds and the environment. Today it is an internationally known body with a membership of 1,500 people both from Sri Lanka and abroad. Over the years the organisation has been involved in pioneer projects such as taking bird watching to the common man, assessing the status of threatened birds and identifying important bird areas in Sri Lanka and has been actively involved in conducting awareness programs for a variety of target audiences. The publications released periodically by the organisation are appreciated by birders around the world.

The annual Migrant Watch is one such awareness program organised by FOGSL in an attempt to introduce bird watching to beginners and to send out the message of conservation to people at large. This is an excellent opportunity for avid bird watchers to get an early look at the migrant birds that come every year to Sri Lanka. Dilly & Carlo is proud to be a part of this cause and has long term visions of active participation in such projects. Having started its operations 25 years ago, Dilly & Carlo has emerged as a dress boutique with elegance and explicit taste. The proprietor of the boutique Dilani Wijeysekera says, “I was fortunate enough to have parents who harnessed the beauty of nature in me from a tender age. The many outdoor trips we did with friends and family in my childhood taught us to respect nature and draw inspiration from its many wonders. We would always come home rejuvenated! What better way to create great bond with friends and family.” “I together with the members of my company was fortunate enough to make a trip to Sinharaja rain forest under the guidance of FOGSL and from then on it was love at first sight. I felt the need to do our little bit to bring such beauty closer to the people we interact with and was extremely happy to partner FOGSL in this wonderful venture ‘Committed for Conservation’. Dilly and Carlo will be celebrating their association with FOGSL by introducing a range of T-Shirts featuring endemic birds as well as a T-Shirt dedicated for the cause. A percentage of the sale of these products will be handed over to FOGSL to be used for conservation programs around the country. In addition, the boutique has also dedicated a range of products with a jungle theme which would be uniquely displayed in the very near future. Finally Prof. Sarath Kotagama had this to say about the support extended by Dilly and Carlo: “FOGSL appreciates the support provided for the conservation of birds and nature, which is a major need of the present for the future. This is a true partnership of nature and people.”