[ECO]Sri Lanka Mangrove Restoration Plan to Expand Forests by Over 50%

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The Sri Lanka mangrove restoration plan has earned UN recognition for its innovative efforts to increase coastal forest coverage by 50%, having already restored 500 hectares since 2015.

Sri Lanka’s ambitious

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by more than 50 percent has earned recognition from the United Nations as a World Restoration Flagship, highlighting the country’s innovative approach to ecosystem preservation and coastal protection.

The Sri Lanka mangrove restoration plan, which aims to restore 10,000 hectares of Sri Lanka mangrove forests by 2030, was one of seven initiatives honored by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization. This recognition places the Sri Lanka mangrove restoration effort among the world’s leading examples of large-scale ecosystem renewal.

The significance of Sri Lanka’s mangrove forests became particularly apparent following the devastating 2004 tsunami that claimed over 30,000 lives in the country. Initial post-tsunami restoration efforts focused on mass planting of mangroves, but when only three percent of planted saplings survived, authorities shifted their strategy from direct planting to creating conditions that

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This revised approach has proven successful. Since 2015, the initiative has restored 500 hectares of mangroves through partnerships with the *********** and *** governments. The restoration process now emphasizes science-based methods and community involvement to rebuild the natural ecosystem balance.

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Healthy mangrove forests provide the best defence against hurricanes and tsunamis. Licensed under the Unsplash+ License

“As an island nation, mangroves are the first line of defence for us,” said B.K Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment. “Investing in restoration is investing in well-being, societal health and economic prosperity of Sri Lanka.”

The Sri Lanka mangrove restoration initiative stands out for its comprehensive legal framework. In 2015, Sri Lanka became the first nation to provide complete legal protection for its mangrove forests. The government established the National Expert Committee on Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Use, leading to enhanced protective measures and management strategies.

Building on this foundation, Sri Lanka adopted the National Policy on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Mangrove Ecosystems in 2020. The government followed this with a National Strategic Action Plan in 2022, accompanied by detailed guidelines for implementation. That same year, Sri Lanka sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution establishing March 1 as World Seagrass Day, recognizing the crucial connection between seagrasses, mangroves, and ocean health.

Mangrove forests serve multiple critical functions in Sri Lanka’s coastal regions. Their complex root systems create natural barriers against storm surges, waves, and tides while providing essential nursery habitats for fish and other marine life. These ecosystems are particularly valuable to coastal communities, offering natural protection against climate change impacts including cyclones, floods, and coastal erosion, while also providing sources of food and medicine.

The UN World Restoration Flagship designation makes the Sri Lanka mangrove restoration project eligible for technical and financial support from the UN. This assistance will help advance the country’s 2030 goals, which include benefiting 5,000 households and generating more than 4,000 new jobs through mangrove restoration activities.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen praised Sri Lanka’s dedication to mangrove preservation, noting, “The country’s relentless work on perfecting the planting of mangroves shows how restoration must be a long-term investment. Sri Lanka’s experience is one which many other nations would do well to draw from.”

To achieve its 2030 restoration targets, Sri Lanka estimates needing an additional $3.5 million in funding. This investment would support various aspects of the project, including livelihood activities, restoration site maintenance, channel restoration, boundary management, public awareness campaigns, and carbon sequestration monitoring.

The World Restoration Flagship awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global initiative aimed at preventing, halting, and reversing ecosystem degradation across all continents and oceans. The program supports worldwide commitments to restore one billion hectares of degraded ecosystems.

The announcement of Sri Lanka’s award, delivered by UNEP Advocate for Life Under Water and actor Jason Momoa, preceded the 6th UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. This gathering of global environment ministers addresses critical environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Sri Lanka’s mangrove restoration initiative shows how nations can successfully implement large-scale ecosystem restoration projects while balancing environmental protection with community needs. The project’s evolution from simple replanting to a comprehensive, science-based approach offers valuable lessons for similar efforts worldwide.

The success of Sri Lanka’s mangrove restoration program has drawn attention from other coastal nations facing similar environmental challenges. The project’s community-based approach, which combines traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific methods, has become a model for sustainable ecosystem management. Local communities participate in mangrove nursery management, planting activities, and monitoring programs, creating a sense of ownership that enhances project sustainability.

The initiative has also contributed to biodiversity conservation. Sri Lanka’s mangrove forests support numerous endangered species and provide critical habitat for migratory birds. The restoration efforts have led to documented increases in fish populations, benefiting both marine ecosystems and local fishing communities. This demonstrated success in combining environmental protection with economic benefits, which has helped secure continued support from both government agencies and international partners.

As climate change continues to threaten coastal regions worldwide, Sri Lanka’s comprehensive approach to mangrove restoration and protection offers valuable insights for similar initiatives. The project demonstrates that successful ecosystem restoration requires long-term commitment, scientific understanding, community involvement, and strong legal frameworks to ensure sustainable outcomes.

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