WNPS partners with the HFS – SL on scientific research for the habitat conservation of Knuckles Forest

WNPS General Secretary Jehan Canagaretna handing over the signed document of the MoU to HFS – SL Chair L.J. Mendis Wickremasinghe. Dr. Chaturangi Wickramaratne of the WNPS’s newly formed Science for Conservation sub-committee is also seen in the picture

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka (HFS – SL) in regard to a project which aims to help habitat conservation of Sri Lanka’s Knuckles World Heritage Site. 

L. J. Mendis Wickramasinghe is an ecologist, herpetologist and well-known wildlife photographer. He formed the HFS – SL in 2007, to pursue independent research on Sri Lanka’s herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians of a particular region, habitat, or geological period) and also provide a platform for young herpetologists to initiate research. He is credited with the discovery of no less than 34 novel species. 

This new project will comprise of three main components – specifically research, education, and advocating policy planning – aligning well with WNP’s goal of biodiversity conservation through education, research and policy.

The Knuckles Conservation Forest is part of Sri Lanka’s central highlands and part of the region considered to be a super biodiversity hotspot, comprising the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the mountains rise to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. The Knuckles landscape is home for 29 endemic species of fauna and flora, of which 23 are herpetofauna. Research indicates that there is a vast number of new species yet to be discovered.

Most of the habitats of these species are under severe anthropogenic pressures, because some may even be hyper endemic, any adverse effect which might change or destroy their habitats, even result in complete extinction; hence, these species are classified as threatened according to IUCN Red List criteria. Therefore, there is a great urgency to publish these species, in order to sustainably manage our ecosystems and conserve their habitats and biodiversity. WNPS is funding the HFS – SL to help conduct the above research which spans several months, with the project results to be published in peer reviewed international scientific journals as well as WNPS’s Loris Magazine. The rights of the intellectual property arising from the MoU will be shared equally amongst both organisations.