in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

MOE: Ministry of Environment, DWC: Department of Wildlife Conservation, FD: Forest Department, CEA: CentralEnvironmental Authority, CCD: Coast Conservation Department, DC: Department of Customs, DF: Departmentof Fisheries, ID: Irrigation Department, DA: Department of Agriculture, NSF: National Science Foundation,DBG: Department of Botanical Gardens, DZG: Department of Zoological Gardens3. Update local level biodiversity profilesThe NSD contains a wealth of information that has been used to prepare the regional biodiversityprofiles to assist decision-making at a regional level. These profiles needs to be updated withthe new information that has become available during the preparation of current Red List.Further, awareness about the Red List and its implications to local developmental planningshould also be created among local government bodies. A series of district level workshopsshould be held with the participation of representatives from local government bodies withthe aim of formulating a set of local level actions to implement various facets of the RedList results. The Biodiversity Secretariat (BDS) of the Ministry of Environment (MOE) shouldorganise these workshops, between the period of June to December 2013.4. Implement programmes to recover populations of threatened speciesThe primary aim of assessing the conservation status of species to identify conservation actionsneeded to protect these species so that natural populations can recover to a point where theycan be down-listed or de-listed after a period of time. However, a simple comparison of theRed Lists published to date indicates that the status of most threatened species has remainedunchanged or has worsened with time and this is therefore a very serious issue. This maybe because necessary conservation measures have not been taken despite Red List data.Therefore, it is proposed that the proposed species conservation strategy be completed as anessential and immediate follow-up action of the Red List. As a part of the species conservationstrategy, a set of single or multi species recovery plans should be identified and developed,and a mechanism should be devised to implement these plans, in order that as many ofthe species that are listed are recovered. Thus far a single recovery programme for Puntiusbandula (Bandula pethiya) has been carried out with financial support from BDS under theoverall supervision of NASCAG. The lessons learned from this project should be documentedand incorporated in conducting future recovery programmes.Area of focus (links)ResponsibleInstitution/sTechnical support Time FrameComplete the species conservationNASCAG, NEC-Bd,BDS (SCU)strategyExpert groupsJune 2013Identify a set of single and multiNASCAG, NEC-Bd,BDS (SCU)species recovery plansExpert groupsJune 2013Prepare recovery plansTeams identified bythe BDSNASCAG December 2013Seek funds for the implementation BDS, NSF, Otherof recovery plansfunding agenciesNASCAG June 2014Implement recovery plansRelevant lineTeams that preparedagenciesthe recovery plansJune 2014BDS - Biodiversity Secretariat, NASCAG - National Species Conservation Advisory Group, NEC-Bd - National Experts Committeeon Biodiversity349