By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
In 2021, Rainforest Protectors Trust was able to expand the protected buffer zone of Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest in Sri Lanka by purchasing and permanently protecting an additional privately held 7.5 acres primary forest land. This beautiful and highly bio-diverse forest tract directly bordering Sinharaja rainforest was in danger of being clearcut, as similar forest lands nearby are facing deforestation due to expanding tea plantations. Through timely action by Rainforest Protectors Trust, together with financial support provided by MAS Intimates (Pvt) Ltd and MAS Active (Pvt) Ltd, the forest is now saved and designated as a conservation land. More importantly it prevents encroachment of the core protected area due to its strategic location in the buffer zone. With this conservation success, Rainforest Protectors Trust has now protected a total of 3 forest lands totalling 14 acres in the area.
Looking forward to 2022, we are extremely close towards protecting an additional 10 acres right next to the above protected land, this time funded by individual donors like you through the crowdfunding initiative. Purchasing and protecting this contiguous 10 acres helps us create a linear extension of the buffer zone and increasing the total protected area to 24 acres. All our protected lands contain at least one stream, if not more, as well as some facing river frontage. We cannot emphasize enough how this helps protect the endangered and endemic freshwater species of Sri Lanka.
We wish to thank all our donors for your contribution towards creating a buffer zone for Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest a success. As we progress on protecting threatened rainforests, we are also taking steps to ensure the conservation lands stay protected through frequent monitoring while being open for non-destructive recreation activities such as hiking and bird-watching. We hope you will continue to support us in 2022 and help recruit your friends and family join and be part of this conservation story.
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