We are delighted to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive ecological assessment of the 8-acre main campus of the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL) in Bandaragama, Sri Lanka. Situated in the Bolgoda Wetland, a recognized biodiversity hotspot, the campus offers a unique opportunity to promote environmental education and conservation.

Bolgoda Environmental Protection Area

SIHL’s main campus is located within the Bolgoda Wetland, a region of immense ecological importance. The area is officially designated as the Bolgoda Environmental Protection Area (Gazette Notification 1634/23, 2009), with a 60-meter buffer zone from either side of the riverbank. This ecological zone plays a crucial role in the preservation of biodiversity and environmental health.

Botanical and Biosphere Documentation

A dedicated team, led by Dilini Wickramasinghe and supported by Yohan Herath (Photography) under the guidance of Mrs. Neela De Zoysa, conducted a three-month-long ecological audit. The team carried out a comprehensive survey of the flora and fauna at SIHL, with a special focus on documenting and labeling the campus’s native and non-native plant species.

Woody Plants Survey: A thorough survey identified (Ecologist Mr. Pradeep Rajatewa supported) and labeled 225 woody plants across the campus. Each plant was labeled with its scientific name, family, and local names in Sinhala, English, and Tamil, along with information on their uses.

QR Code Integration: In an effort to make the plant data more accessible and informative, QR codes were added to the labels, linking directly to the Flora of Sri Lanka website for further details. This allows visitors and researchers to easily access additional information about each plant.

You can explore the catalog of these species through our iNaturalist page, where observations of each plant species have been uploaded:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&user_id=sihl_species&verifiable=any

Miyawaki Forest Garden

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the campus’s ecological footprint, the Miyawaki Forest Garden has been developed and is continuously documented to track its growth and ecological impact. The Miyawaki method, which emphasizes the creation of dense, native forests in urban spaces, plays a critical role in restoring local ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.

Conservation Management Plan

In addition to documenting the botanical elements, we have also laid out a long-term conservation management plan. This plan focuses on the sustainable preservation and enhancement of the campus’s natural resources, ensuring that the biodiversity hotspots within SIHL continue to thrive for generations to come.

Nature Trail and Butterfly Garden

A key feature of our conservation initiative is the creation of a nature trail that will allow visitors to explore the botanical garden, butterfly garden, Miyawaki Forest Garden, and the river habitat. The pathway will be designed with observation points to facilitate educational walks and interactive learning experiences.

Our Commitment to Ecological Stewardship

Through these efforts, SIHL is committed to promoting sustainable practices, fostering environmental education, and reinforcing its role in conservation and ecological stewardship. This initiative serves as a model for integrating environmental awareness into the academic environment, encouraging students, faculty, and the wider community to actively engage with nature and conservation efforts.

We invite you to join us on the nature trail to explore the rich biodiversity of our campus and learn more about our conservation efforts. Together, we can contribute to preserving Sri Lanka’s natural heritage for future generations.