• Why conservation needs people and business for sustainable development 

For decades, conservationists have been trying hard to educate the general population on the best ways to conserve our Earth for future generations. And we all have a role to play in helping save the planet. This was the theme of ‘Connecting Rainforest Communities and Livelihoods’ - a thought-provoking forum held in Colombo that brought together conservationists, academics, policymakers, and business leaders in a dynamic exchange on how to integrate biodiversity conservation with sustainable development. Among the keynote speakers were Senior Professor Hiranthi Ranasinghe, who delivered an insightful presentation on ecosystem services and biodiversity connectivity, and, Dilmah Tea Chairperson Dr. Dilhan C. Fernando who underscored the moral and economic imperatives of sustainability-led business.

Our forests have been our most precious resource,” Senior Professor in Forestry and Environmental Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Professor Hemanthi Ranasinghe, said at the forum, which was also the launch of a documentary titled ‘Connecting Rainforest Communities and Livelihoods’ that aims to educate a generation on how to balance preservation with sustenance.

Saving our forests

Our forests have not just been a place where locals and tourists spend camping trips. They are home to several species, some of which are endangered and are native to this country.

“Many species have been affected by the massive deforestation that happens not only in Sri Lanka but around the world,” Ranasinghe said. “Because of human cultivation and deforestation, several species have lost their homes, and this has a greater effect on the environment as well.”

The growth of human habitations, especially for cultivation, has led to several animals encroaching on human cultivations to find food and is responsible for the much-discussed human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. The expansion of human cultivation has caused several other species, such as leopards, to encroach on human property and get caught snares.

“Our forests are not just essential for all our animal species but for the human race too,” Scientist, Professor Nalaka Gekiyanage said. “Our forest is one of the biggest protectors against climate change, which is a real issue facing not only this country but the world in general.”

However, Gekiyanage said that while our forests need to be conserved, there are economic factors that need to be considered when coming up with conservation strategies.

Saving livelihoods 

While protecting our environment, it is also important to ensure that the local community is not adversely affected.

“A lot of hesitancy and hatred towards conservation projects often comes from the local community, who fear that sustainable practices will destroy their livelihoods,” Gekiyanage said. “They fear that saving the environment would mean that they cannot go about their business activities and that will prevent them from feeding their families.”

Ranasinghe said that this is why businesses need to support the local community as they embark on conservation efforts and sustainable practices.

“Companies like Dilmah are committed to looking after our communities as we take on our corporate social responsibility projects,” Dilmah Chairperson Dilhan Fernando, said. “This is why we ensure that our tea pluckers are treated well and are not suffering from any economic repercussions.”

Fernando said that Dilmah is committed to educating the community on sustainability and the need to conserve the environment while also caring for the people who make the community thrive.

“I encourage companies all over the country and across the world to take an ethical approach when conducting business and avoid destroying our planet because at the end of the day, we have one home that we need to preserve for the future generations to come,” Fernando said.

A message for the future

 Like most people, conservationists are worried about the future of the planet. Crises such as habitat loss that would lead to endangerment and climate change have been documented, and their effects have led to damage.

“We have seen several animals lose their homes and as a result their population suffers,” Ranasinghe said. “The forests are their home too, and therefore we have a duty to conserve them for them.”

This is what ‘Connecting Rainforest Communities and Livelihoods’ wants to communicate. By showing its viewers the magic of what our forests have to offer, the documentary hopes to educate viewers while filling them with a sense of compassion and empathy for each and every species that will help them consider the need to balance the need to protect livelihoods with protecting the environment. 

“We are proud to present this documentary as a testament to what people, companies and communities can do if we come together to protect the environment,” Centre Coordinator for the Dilmah Conservation Endane Field Reserve, Amila Perera, said. 

Perera expressed hope that corporations could prove to society that businesses can strive towards ethical goals while having a strong presence in both the local and world markets.