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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

In terms of species, genes and ecosystems, Sri Lanka has a very high biodiversity and is one of the 18 hot spots in the world. The wet zone rainforests have nearly all of the country’s woody endemic plants and about 75 per cent of the endemic animals. The genetic diversity of agricultural crops is quite remarkable, with 3,000 accessions of rice being recorded. The biodiversity of coastal and marine ecosystems provide over 65 per cent of the animal protein requirement of the country.

Sri Lanka has the highest biodiversity per unit area of land among Asian countries in terms of flowering plants and all vertebrate groups except birds. The vegetation of Sri Lanka supports over 3,350 species of flowering plants and 314 species of ferns and fern allies. There is also considerable invertebrate faunal diversity. The vertebrate fauna include 51 species of teleost fishes, 39 species of amphibians, over 125 species of reptilia, over 390 species of birds, 96 species of mammals including 38 species of marine mammals.

The provisional list of `threatened’ faunal species of Sri Lanka includes over 550 species, of which over 50 per cent are endemic. The crop genetic diversity in the country is also high, especially for Oryza sativa. In addition to the diversity seen in coarse grains, legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers and spice crops, there are over 170 species of ornamental plants. Among domesticated animals of economic value are some indigenous species of buffalo, cattle, fowl and fish.

The major threats to biodiversity in Sri Lanka are the ever-increasing demand for land for human habitation and related developmental activities. Poor land use planning, indiscriminate exploitation of biological resources, weak enforcement of legislation and the absence of an integrated conservation management approach are other threats to biodiversity.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Sri Lanka has established 501 protected areas, accounting for 26.5% of the total area of the country. Sri Lanka has also 2 Ramsar sites and 2 Biosphere Reserves.

Percentage of Forest Cover

Forests in Sri Lanka cover 1,933,000 ha.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The Sri Lanka Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan was adopted in 1998. The Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan has identified four broad areas of ecosystem diversity, namely forests, wetlands, coastal and marine systems, and agricultural systems. Under each ecosystem, main issues have been identified followed by objectives. The recommended actions and the implementing institutions are also defined. At the regional level (Provincial Council Level) Regional Biodiversity Action Plans have been developed. The Sectoral Biodiversity (i.e. biodiversity of domestic animals) Conservation Framework for Action is under preparation. The Biodiversity Secretariat in the Ministry of Forestry and Environment coordinates and initiates actions on cross-sectoral activities (avoid duplication of work), promotes and facilitates the implementation and monitoring of projects and programs under the BCAP. The Secretariat appoints National Steering Committees (NSC) and various task forces to discuss various biodiversity related issues and also to make recommendations. National Expert Committee was also formed to provide advice to governments on sustainable use of biodiversity.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Addendum to NBSAP (English)

Implementation of the Convention

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Management Plans have been prepared for all most all leading National Parks. Threats to National Park System have been assessed and Management Plans/strategies have been identified to minimize the harmful effects. Some National Parks have the objective in protecting the watersheds of the major water bodies in Sri Lanka and some protect a range of unique natural ecosystems such as Mountain Forests, Wetlands, Coral Reefs and Mangrove Forests of the country. So far Two Sites have been recognized as Ramsar Sites in Sri Lanka where One Site is a National Park. In Sri Lanka, there are some very important biodiversity sites come under private ownership. Majority of the owners prepared to develop these sites as wildlife and ecotourism destinations but discouraged by financial constraints. If there are some measures in place to facilitate and support them to overcome these constraints by providing some means to access finances for them to envisage on above mentioned ventures, those would be some very good investments for conservation.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The country has given a very high priority to this article since Sri Lanka has very rich traditional knowledge base. Centre for Traditional Knowledge and many NGOs are working on identification and documentation of traditional knowledge in Sri Lanka. Several publications on traditional knowledge are either published or under preparation. IPR office in Sri Lanka is working on IPR issues of traditional knowledge. IUCN is currently working on developing of a legal framework to safeguard traditional knowledge relating to the use of medicinal plants. Shortage of trained manpower and financial assistance, and weak legislation have affected the successful implementation of Article 8j.