WNPS lecture on ‘Conservation of Sri Lanka’s Native Orchids’
Saturday, 13 September 2014 00:15
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The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS) will hold its monthly lecture on Thursday. Titled ‘Conservation of Sri Lanka’s Native Orchids,’ it will be delivered by Ajantha Palihawadana.
Ajantha’s interest in native orchid has its roots in the Sinharaja Rainforest. He became interested in studying native orchid when he started working with P.B. Karunatahna as a Research Assistant at March for Conservation in 1993.
His love for native orchids has resulted in the publishing of a poster on native orchids of Sri Lanka and the adding of two new species to the orchid flora of Sri Lanka. Ajantha also developed three new varieties of orchids for the ornamental cut flower trade.
He works as a Species Specialist in Orchid Red List at IUCN Sri Lanka and is a Committee Member – Species Specialist of the Orchid Circle of Ceylon (OCC)
About 200 species of wild orchids are found in Sri Lanka, out of that about 60 species are endemic to the country. Some of the species are used in traditional treatment. Habitat loss and over-collection can be considered as major threats to orchids. Distributions and habitat will be discussed and finally threat to the species and conservation will be presented.
The lecture will be delivered on Thursday 18 September at 6:15 p.m. at the Department of Meteorology Auditorium, 383, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 (opposite BMICH). All are welcome and entrance is free.
