School Children from the Kalawana region participate in the Youth Bio-monitoring Program.

An exhibition was recently held to mark the end of the first phase of the Sinharaja Forest Youth Bio-monitoring Program.

The Bio-monitoring Program works with local children in three schools near the northern Kalawana entrance to the forest.

The monitoring program involves the local school children collecting samples, monitoring vegetation growth, conducting population surveys and recording and analysing data.

The program is increasing awareness among youth of environmental resources and is enhancing their enthusiasm in conservation activities.

Sewalanka’s Regional Director (South) Mr Ajith Tennakoon said that the exhibition was open to the general public and allowed the students to present and display their findings.

“Over 300 excited children from Veddha Gala College, Pothupitiya College and Pethiyakanda College participated in the event,” Mr Tennakoon said.

“The students, from grade seven to 10 created nearly 50 stalls to share their findings on environmental conditions and the traditional livelihood activities that they have experienced and seen.

“It was inspiring to see over 1000 people, representing a cross section of society, attend the two-day exhibition,” he said.

The main funding agency for the monitoring program is the HSBC bank.