in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

- With the introduction of exotic aquatic species into the wetlands, studies of possiblehybridization between natives and invasive alien species must be initiated.- Identifying native plants with potential ornamental value and, developing masspropagation techniques to reduce the risk of over exploitation from the wild.- Introducing molecular tools for rapid identification of aquatic plants that are exported,especially as bulbs or plantlets at the exit points.- Further research into wetland processes, dynamics and management.Conclusions and recommendationsThe wetland site reports and conservation management plans under the Wetland Conservationproject - Sri Lanka (IUCN Sri Lanka and CEA, 2006 and other wetland site reports), theNational Symposium on Wetland Conservation and Management (IUCN Sri Lanka, 2004) andVan Zon (2004) have identified several conservation priorities and made recommendations forthe conservation and management of wetlands in Sri Lanka. Identification of the difficulties inimplementing these recommendations should be a priority, apart from the following:- Conduct a policy, legal and institutional analysis related to wetland conservation andmanagement plans and identify short comings (capacity, infrastructure etc.). This wouldstrengthen inter-institutional mechanisms, legislative frameworks and law enforcement.Inter-sectorial linkages should be established among essential authorities who are thecustodians of the wetland ecosystems in order to achieve sustainable developmentassociated with wet lands.- Promote community and stakeholder participation, and private sector involvement inconservation of wetlands.- Regulate and manage the species exploitation for trade.- Compile a comprehensive inventory on wetland plant species through a systematicfield survey.- Establish a sustainable financing mechanisms through local and foreign sources forthe management and setting up of monitoring programmes.- Initiate pathways for effective implementation of research findings by the relevantstakeholders to address conservation and management issues of the wetlandecosystems.- Focus awareness programmes on all components viz., avifauna, aquatic flora andrecreational potential that constitute to the importance of a wetland, in order to changethe public’s attitude towards aquatic plants. Currently, wetlands are treasured by thegeneral public owing to its recreational value and avifauna.References –CEA/Euroconsult (1993). Wetland Site Report and Conservation Management Plan: Bellanwilla-Attidiya Marsh,Wetland Conservation Project, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka and Netherlands, P. 114.CEA/Euroconsult (1994). Wetland Site Report and Conservation Management Plan: Muthurajawela Marsh andNegombo Lagoon, Wetland Conservation Project, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka and Netherlands,P. 129.CEA/Euroconsult (1994b). Wetland Site Report and Conservation Management Plan: Walauwatta-Wathuranaswamp forest, Wetland Conservation Project, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka and Netherlands, P.54.195