Activities Undertaken

Environmental Education Centre and Mangrove Nurseries - Alubomulla.

Objectives:

• Educating the general public, especially school children, the importance of conserving and protecting wet lands in general and in Bolgoda in particular.
  
  
• Educate and motivate the Bolgoda residents in replanting and conserving the mangroves.
  
  
• Educate and motivate farmers around Bolgoda the advantages of organic farming using compost fertilser.
  
  

Activities undertaken and completed:

• Established a mangrove plant nursery – about 35,000 plants.
• Replanting started.
• Awareness programs for farmers.
• Training of selected farmers in methods of composting – at Gamisewa Sevana in Galaha.

South Lake Area of Bolgoda:

Major pollution of the lake is taking place due to agricultural residues in this area. Over 1600 acres of wetland is being used to cultivate edible leafy plants to consumers in Colombo and surrounding cities. Cultivation is being done with total dependence of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and agrochemicals.

Environmental issues:

Residues of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals and pesticides are being washed to the lake resulting in the waters becoming poisonous for fish, micro organisms and other living organisms of the lake.

Activities completed in the area:

• Selected farm leaders were trained and motivated to change to organic farming.
• Change is a slow process, but yet, farmers are steadily adapting to organic farming methods. The premium price facto.