Sri Lanka gets global recognition by UN for rebuilding mangrove ecosystems

2024 marks a landmark achievement in the world of conservation with Sri Lanka being declared as a UN World Restoration Flagship, in recognition of the nation’s vital efforts to rebuild and restore its mangrove ecosystems. 

The UN Flagship Restoration Award is a timely recognition of Sri Lanka’s viable, lasting solutions towards the restoration of these essential ecosystems which support countless lives and livelihoods across the island. Sri Lanka is slated to receive the award at the United Nations Environmental Assembly which will be held in Nairobi on 27 February 2024. 

The award signifies the nation’s effective use of the UN’s Principles for Ecosystem Restoration, while highlighting globally significant best practices and methodologies that can potentially serve as a framework for future success across the world.

The aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and its destructive impacts on Sri Lanka’s coastline highlighted the importance of mangroves as a coastal protector. Unfortunately, the continued destruction of mangroves, and the lack of a formal mechanism impeded effective conservation and restoration.

Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthen its coastal ecosystems dates back to 2015 and beyond, and was accomplished by the establishment of expert panels, task forces, policies, action plans and restoration guidelines that represent top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top coalitions for action and conservation.

The nation’s revolutionary approach towards mangrove restoration is primarily underpinned by science-driven methodologies, with a focus on reviving ecosystem services. This two-pronged approach is designed to restore the balance of the entire ecosystem and its connectivity. The involvement of youth as researchers and future restoration leaders, and the mobilisation of multiple stakeholder groups spanning the Government, NGOs, the private sector, academia and the community have culminated in a new paradigm of restoration that is built for the future.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2021–2030 as the decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The decade is a global effort to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Each year, an expert group appointed by the UN evaluates, selects and awards the most noteworthy efforts towards ecosystem restoration, which are in turn designated as flagship Initiatives.