Environmental policy and administrative management

This project will reduce land degradation and conserve biodiversity in Boralugoda (Maguru River). Maguru River has the highest freshwater fish species diversity in Sri Lanka. In this river, there are 47 species of fresh water fish and out of that 20 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Immediate conservation and management measures need to be taken to preserve this vulnerable ecosystem. The area has also suffered from the harmful effects of tea cultivation and road construction, which has led to severe soil erosion. Lack of awareness on proper land management have contributed to this as well. Therefore, the Organization for Aquatic Resources Management (OARM) intends to conserve the fish population in Maguru River, reduce land degradation in the Boralugoda area, conserve local biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods for local community members. To fulfill these objectives, OARM will prevent soil erosion by replanting part of the tropical rainforest, erecting stone walls on road slopes, offering education and awareness programmes and establishing various community livelihood development programmes. Through the success of this project, the biodiversity in the Maguru River will be protected and the community will have minimized land degradation.

Sri lanka