Rainforest Guardians are full-time community based rangers employed to monitor and safeguard the conservation forests currently under Rainforest Protectors Trust and surrounding protected forest reserves. Threats to the forests such as encroachment, illegal felling of trees, poaching, fire hazards, smuggling of protected species will be addressed by Rainforest Guardians. Additionally, these guardians will also be engaging in the removal of invasive species and reforestation as necessary.
Lack of enforcement is a major contributor towards deforestation and poaching especially in Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest. Each year, thousands of acres are encroached upon and burnt down within the tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka. Many endangered species are killed due to rampant poaching.
Permanent community based rainforest guardians, familiar with the local flora and fauna, can significantly reduce illegal activities within the protected area and help save these endangered species. Rainforest Protectors Trust is active in the area, having protected four tracts of forest land to create a buffer zone for Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest. A recurring monthly donation will help provide fulltime employment for these rainforest guardians and help protect the forest and wildlife.
The project will be beneficial to the local community providing direct employment in addition to the indirect benefits of tourism and ecosystem services. By preventing deforestation, many endemic and endangered species will receive protection and recovery.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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