International Migratory Bird Day inspires Jaffna youth in ecosystem conservation

The highlight of the awareness campaign was a celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, celebrated every second Saturday of May. In Jaffna this year, the celebration was held May 9th, with the support of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) programme managed by IUCN in Sri Lanka. One hundred school children from all five Northern Province districts gathered in Jaffna for three days to celebrate the importance of migratory birds.

As part of the international day celebration, students were provided with theoretical and practical knowledge about migratory birds. A visit was organized to areas frequented by migratory birds, such as Vallai Veli, Thondamanaru Lagoon, Kurivikadu (in Sarasalai) and Mandaitheevu. They learned how to identify birds, and gathered information on their habitats and habits. The programme concluded at the Jaffna Public Library Auditorium. The Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council Hon. C.V.K. Sivagnanam and Hon. P. Ayngaranesan, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Animal Husbandry were present. 

Jaffna migratory birds and its contribution to ecosystem conservation

Year after year, from September to April, thousands of migratory birds travel south to avoid the low temperatures as winter approaches. As they fly south looking for warmer temperatures, Sri Lanka is their last destination being the last country at the tip of Indian Sub-Continent before the South Pole. These birds come from North East Asia, West Asia and North Indian Regions. As a result, nature has blessed Sri Lanka with the golden opportunity of observing a wide range of beautiful migratory birds in addition to its local endemic birds. Bird watching is gaining momentum in Sri Lanka, especially with the opening of key bird areas after 30 years of internal conflict.

Alongside bird watching, employment opportunities also exist for tourism and its services. Bird watching-related activities could be part of the new generation of livelihoods, especially in the Northern region of Sri Lanka. Tourism has already risen as the fifth largest income generator in the country; through its significant growth potential, it may also help reduce the pressure on coastal resources as it generates alternative livelihoods away from traditional jobs such as fishing.

In that context, IUCN Sri Lanka through the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Programme, a unique partner-led regional initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development, has taken steps to raise awareness of the authorities and public (including youth and school children) on different aspects of natural capital including migratory birds. MFF has implemented a similar project in 2014, where youth were trained as tour guides for the Ramsar bird sanctuary in Vankalai of the Mannar district. Over 20 youths were involved in the project, with bird watching given special attention as a field of training.

For more information about the project, please visit the page, "Introduction of a community-based management model for Vankalai Wetland Ecosystem, Mannar, Sri Lanka"