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A date with nature
By N.Dilshath Banu
If you have a passion for nature, this calendar will make your home connected with the green side of our country throughout the year. Titled "Rainforest Fantasy", this calendar with exquisite drawings by well-known artist, Senaka Senanayake was launched on January 19 at the Taj Samudra.

The calendar focuses on the dwindling green patches of our country and the impact of deforestation on the ecological cycle. This calendar, quite large in size, is the idea of Rainforest Rescue International (RRI), an NGO which actively promotes the conservation of the dwindling biodiversity in the remaining vestiges of Sri Lanka's tropical rainforests. RRI, formed three years ago by Dr. Ranil Senanayake, seeks to promote natural biodiversity conservation within the local community by reintroducing the ancient practices of sustaining the livelihood of the rainforest.

Explaining how the forests in our country were lost to us, RRI chairman Senanayake, says, "The first large deforestation of the rainforest of Sri Lanka began at the early British colonial period, when forests were felled for timber export and plantation industry."

"The large scale felling of the forests began after 1820 when all land without title was deemed 'crown land' and sold to commercial interests. During this period, 290,000 acres of rainforest were sold for coffee plantation. And unfortunately, the post-colonial period continued to deforest the green patches of the country."

The 15% of the remaining wet forest at the turn of the last century has now dwindled to just 3.1%. The truly frightening aspect of today's situation is that within the geographical zone of occurrence, the remaining patches are being whittled down through the process of 'development' and land distribution.

"To make a meaningful contribution to the wet forests of Sri Lanka, two critical areas of activity have been identified by RRI. One is recording of the remaining forest patches and dating their status and the other is by creating corridors that will connect these patches," Dr. Senanayake said.

"This calendar gives you the glimpse of what's happening to our rainforests" he added. The calendar is available at Atuwa and Barefoot in Colombo; Exotic Roots in Galle Fort or call RRI on 0912232585.

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