Project Report
| Jul 31, 2023
Rainforest Protectors Trust - Update July 2023
By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
Apr 11, 2023
Rainforest Protectors Trust - Update April 2023
By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
![Rainforest Guardian]()
Rainforest Guardian
At a time when deforestation shows no sign of slowing down, economic crisis especially in Sri Lanka has resulted in lack of funds for the relevant Government departments to protect the Forest Reserves. The burden of protecting nature and biodiversity has increasingly fallen on the shoulders of Non-Governmental Organizations. For the last 3 years in a row, Rainforest Protectors Trust successfully purchased and permanently protected four private forest lands from chainsaws, which are now added to the Protected Buffer Zone in Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest. Since the begining of 2023, we have increased our efforts to explore additional acquisitions towards conservation as well as a suitable property for a "Rainforest Conservation and Education Center".
We are also thrilled to announce that "Rainforest Guardians" project was successfully initiated on the field last month and we have secured the services of a capable energetic young individual from the village to monitor the protected buffer zone and identify suitable properties for its extension.
Success of our projects depend on supporters like you, and we hope you will continue to donate and encourage others to do so. In the years ahead, you can look back and feel happy for your contribution to make the planet a better place for all living things.
![Excursion in our Protected Forest Land]()
Excursion in our Protected Forest Land
![Suitable land for acquisition]()
Suitable land for acquisition
![Suitable land for acquisition]()
Suitable land for acquisition
![Suitable land for acquisition]()
Suitable land for acquisition
Dec 26, 2022
Rainforest Protectors Trust - 2022 Year-end Update
By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
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In 2022, Rainforest Protectors Trust purchased and permanently protected an additional 10 acres of privately held primary forest adjoining Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest in Sri Lanka as part of its long-term project to create a "Protected Buffer Zone". Funding for the conservation of above 10 acres came 100% from individual donations made through our crowdfunding project in GlobalGiving. This tract containing giant Dipterocarpus zeylanicus and other endangered flora, directly borders Sinharaja rainforest as well as a previous 7.5 acres saved by Rainforest Protectors Trust in 2021, thus creating a contiguous protected buffer zone. Creation of a live fence through planting native trees along the border was also successfully carried out.
Acquisition and conservation of unprotected primary forest land such as above is the single most effective method of preventing extinction of the endemic and endangered birds and freshwater fish found here such as the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata), Sri Lanka Red Faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus Pyrrhocephalus), Sri Lanka Cuming's Barb (Pethia cumingii), Sri Lanka Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata), Sri Lanka Lipstick Goby (Sicyopus jonklaasi) and the last 2 remaining Rainforest Elephants in Sinharaja. Looking forward to 2023 and beyond, we have 3 major initiatives.
1. Expanding the conservation of additional unprotected forest lands bordering Sinharaja Rainforest.
2. Monitoring and safeguarding the Protected Buffer Zone.
3. Purchase of a suitable property to establish a Rainforest Conservation and Education Center.
We wish to thank all our donors and supporters for your contributions. With several thousand acres of primary forest in the area still remaining unprotected, we are just at the begining stages of this conservation initiative. As we progress on protecting threatened rainforests, we are also taking steps to ensure these habitats stay protected in perpetuity through frequent monitoring. "Rainforest Guardians" are at the heart of this vital effort, hired from the surrounding community and trained to monitor the protected area. We hope you will continue to support us in 2023 and help recruit your friends and family join and be part of this conservation story.
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