in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

Potential Applications of the National Red List and the Way ForwardThe National Red List provides the conservation status of the assessed species in a givencountry at that particular time. It is also a tool that guides conservation planning in a country as it;• provides baseline information necessary for the preparation of species profiles ofthreatened species, a basis for prioritising conservation efforts and information necessaryfor the preparation and implementation of recovery plans;• indicates information gaps regarding specific taxa and geographic areas;• Provides a scientific basis for the development of a country’s research agenda onbiodiversity;• allows for objective prioritisation of funding for conservation-oriented research;• provides a basis to analyse biodiversity hotspots that will help identify priority areas forconservation of species and ecosystems;• provides a scientific basis for the formulation and revision of legislation related to biodiversityconservation;• provides a scientific framework for new policies and regulations related to biodiversityconservation;• provides information for the creation of awareness and conservation education amongdifferent stakeholders;• provides a sound decision-making platform for regional and local administrative bodies(i.e., at provincial and town level planning ) for formulation of local developmentplans; and• provides a framework for monitoring spatial and temporal changes in biodiversityTherefore, identifying species at risk is only the first step in species conservation. This shouldbe followed with a programme of activities aimed at recovering species at risk. The aim of thischapter is to propose a set of actions that are needed along with detailed action plans in orderto achieve effective biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka. Further, these actions are aimedat ensuring the future sustenance of the Redlisting process, and facilitate its use towards theconservation of threatened species in Sri Lanka.1. Ensuring sustainability of the Redlisting processAll species are subjected to dynamic changes driven by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors.Therefore, the conservation status of a species changes with time. Thus, it is essential thatthe assessment of the conservation status of species is a continuing process. The Redlistingof Sri Lankan biodiversity has been carried out at least five times over the past two decades.The responsibility of the Redlisting process should lie with a government institute to ensuretransparency and reliability of the final outcome. Therefore, a Species Conservation Unit(SCU) dedicated for constant monitoring and regular updating of the conservation status ofspecies and coordinate all activities related to conservation of threatened species, has beenestablished at the Biodiversity Secretariat (BDS) of the Ministry of Environment. The SCUshould be strengthened through relevant training and other logistic support to continue theirfunctions efficiently in order to ensure sustainability of the Redlisting programme of Sri Lanka.346