• Janaka Gayan of Eco Escape Galle on community-driven sustainability and tourism 

Tourism is one of Sri Lanka’s core products to the outside world and it is little wonder why. Our tiny island boasts beautiful beaches, wildlife sanctuaries with some of nature’s most charismatic animals like elephants and leopards, thriving marine life off our coasts, the perfect conditions for adventure sports like windsurfing and white water rafting, beautiful hill country, ancient monuments, and of course, heaps and heaps of culture. 

But at the same time, Sri Lanka has to be careful not to go the same way as other popular tourist destinations and over-market itself. For example, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and has increasingly had to deal with the impacts of over tourism – environmental degradation, strains on resources, cultural erosion, and rising costs, to name a few. In response, Thailand has embraced sustainable tourism practices, including managing carrying capacity, improving infrastructure, engaging communities, and educating tourists. 

The importance of sustainable tourism

But where does Sri Lanka stand with sustainable tourism? As an island, it finds itself perched on the precipice of climate change vulnerability. Rising temperatures and sea levels alone threaten it at the global level. But what about at the national level? The nation struggles with high levels of pollution and deforestation, putting its unique ecosystems and communities at risk. 

An alarming 95% of plastic waste remains unrecycled, exacerbating the solid waste crisis and polluting the environment. Deforestation rates, while comparatively lower than in neighbouring countries, still amount to approximately 14,000 hectares lost annually, threatening crucial habitats and biodiversity. 

There is definitely work to be done to ensure a greener and more resilient future. With tourism being such an important sector, especially now in the midst of an economic crisis, sustainable tourism offers a powerful solution to Sri Lanka’s environmental concerns by encouraging eco-friendly practices, engaging local communities, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting responsible travel. 

Above all, small-scale tourism businesses have the opportunity to drive sustainable tourism, not just in the context of creating sustainable tourism experiences, but also in driving the communities they live in to become more sustainable. This week, The Sunday Morning Brunch chatted with Eco Escape Galle Founder Janaka Gayan, whose enterprise is a homestay and river safari business deeply committed to the conservation of the Keppu Ela River and its mangroves, on how small-scale tourism businesses can be sustainable and give back. Eco Escape is a rebranding of Gayan’s previous ecotourism business tourmate.lk. 

Eco Escape Galle

Eco Escape is a newly-generated brand Gayan formed to focus on providing experiences and driving conservation in the area where he grew up on the banks of the Keppu Ela, part of the canal systems in Galle and Matara which were built by the Dutch to facilitate transport of agricultural produce and timber. 

The Keppu Ela, starting from the Gin Ganga, meanders over 20 miles of suburb to the sea at Mahamodara, with flood outlets. There was also a subsidiary canal traceable to this day, known as Muwangoda Ela. It brought timber from Nagoda, Udugama and sugar from Ukwatta up to Mahamodara.

“Our primary focus is on offering boat safaris that provide an immersive experience of the Keppu Ela River and its surrounding mangroves. Visitors can embark on these safaris to witness the breathtaking beauty of the mangrove forests and observe the diverse flora and fauna that call this place their home. Our knowledgeable guides accompany guests on these safaris, providing valuable insights about the significance of mangrove conservation and the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem,” Gayan said. 

“As part of our commitment to sustainability, we also offer homestay accommodations for visitors who wish to engage more closely with the local community and contribute to our conservation efforts. Staying with a local family allows guests to experience the genuine warmth and hospitality of the region while actively supporting the preservation of the Keppu Ela River and its mangroves.”

“The main reason I’m trying to build up tourism in the area is to preserve and give back my childhood experiences to tourists and to the nation,” Gayan shared about why he started Eco Escape. Eco Escape comes to life in the form of a homestay and river safari service operating along the Keppu Ela. “I want to give visitors the real experience of how we survive in a mangrove-heavy area and how we can conserve the riverside.” 

The reality of the need for conservation in the area was brought home to Gayan when he had taken his son to show him the house and the river and his son had asked him questions like if he could swim in the river. “I had wanted to show my son what would be his one day when he grows up and then I realised that regardless of whether I build a house or a hotel here, it won’t matter if I don’t save the surrounding nature,” Gayan said, noting that the area had changed quite a bit since his own childhood, most notably with the amount of pollution in the river, as well as a severely reduced presence of mangroves.

Pollution along Keppu Ela mainly stems from human activity and inadequate environmental education, Gayan said, sharing the example of menstrual pads frequently being thrown into the river by women who are ashamed to dispose of their pads elsewhere, highlighting the link between awareness, education, and preservation.

Challenges extend to mangrove forests, threatened by land disputes and, ironically, efforts to better cater to tourism. “Landowners clear trees for better river views, impacting the ecosystem and biodiversity,” Gayan shared, adding that since the economic crisis, more mangroves had been cut down by their owners to be used as firewood (mangrove wood is a strong heat generator). Misconceptions about growth rates and firewood demand fuel this destruction. Preserving mangroves is crucial for ecosystem balance and biodiversity.

Gayan’s focus on mangroves

Gayan’s dedication to mangrove preservation reflects their pivotal role in coastal ecosystems. These salt-tolerant trees bridge land and sea, acting as a buffer against natural disasters and providing vital habitats for marine life. 

Mangroves safeguard coastlines from hurricanes and storm surges by dissipating wave energy, serving as the first line of defence against nature’s forces. Their dense root systems nurture juvenile fish, crustaceans, and aquatic organisms, ensuring a thriving marine population that supports coastal communities dependent on fishing. Additionally, mangrove forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, helping mitigate climate change by storing carbon dioxide.

Mangroves’ biodiversity contribution is equally significant. Their varying zones create microhabitats for diverse plant and animal species. Birds, reptiles, and mammals find refuge among their branches, while nutrient-rich mudflats sustain crabs and mollusks. This rich biodiversity enhances coastal ecosystem resilience. Recognising the ecological, economic, and cultural value of mangroves, global efforts to conserve and restore these habitats are gaining momentum.

In fact, Gayan’s commitment to conserving the Keppu Ela ecosystem saw him become one of 10 entrepreneurs selected to be part of the Climate Adaptation Accelerator, an eight-month-long accelerator programme by Good Life X and USAID that focused on nurturing businesses working within the scope of climate change adaptation. 

“I was the only person from the tourism sector in that programme and we learned a lot on how to solve problems correctly and how to collaborate,” Gayan said of the experience. “My dream is to make this river I enjoyed in my childhood back to what it was; to make it cleaner.”  

Why do tourism businesses need to worry about sustainability? 

In the realm of tourism, where the allure of ancient ruins and historical landmarks often takes centre stage, Gayan stressed that sustainability was how we could preserve the very essence of what attracted travellers to destinations like Sri Lanka.

Gayan’s conviction is clear: “Without sustainable businesses, there will be nothing to show in the future.” 

While well-known attractions like Sigiriya remain timeless, the environment surrounding them faces threats from negligence. He pointed out that the destruction of mangroves, for instance, not only damaged the ecosystem but also hampered the tourism experience. For Gayan, the solution is evident: sustainability must be integrated into every aspect of tourism, from fishermen and fruit pickers to hoteliers and tourists.

The heart of Gayan’s message lies in collective responsibility. He believes that everyone should contribute to sustainability. Fishermen, for instance, would benefit from a healthier ecosystem that provides more fish. In turn, restaurants can offer fresher catches to their patrons. Large hotels, often assumed to be less interested in sustainability, can play a significant role by embracing eco-friendly practices. Gayan noted that their potential was vast, as they could offer unique experiences like river tours, promoting local culture, and environmental awareness.

However, Gayan acknowledged that smaller businesses sometimes struggled to implement sustainable practices due to a lack of knowledge. Many are unaware of alternative methods, relying on practices that deplete resources. To counter this, he stressed the importance of sharing knowledge. For Gayan, it is not about imitation but about tailored solutions for individual contexts. Facilitating knowledge exchange and training within the tourism sector is vital to fostering a culture of sustainability.

Language barriers also play a role, particularly when engaging with foreign tourists who possess valuable knowledge but might struggle to communicate effectively. Gayan suggested that facilitating communication could bridge this gap, enabling the sharing of ideas and expertise that could enrich local tourism experiences.

Gayan’s vision extends beyond the obvious tourist hotspots. He envisions expanding sustainable practices to encompass areas like Galle Fort, where not just adults but also families and schoolchildren can engage with local culture and environment. This comprehensive approach not only ensures the preservation of natural beauty but also nurtures a deeper, more authentic travel experience for visitors.

By championing the environment and nurturing the communities within, these practices ensure that future generations can marvel at the wonders that drew travellers to these destinations in the first place.