A new initiative aimed at protecting Sri Lanka's biodiversity while creating sustainable economic opportunities for coastal communities has officially moved into action with the signing of a key project agreement.
The project, titled "Promoting Sustainable Economic Benefits through the Conservation of Critical Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Eastern and Southern Coastal Regions of Sri Lanka," marks a significant step towards balancing environmental protection with community development, the Sri Lanka's Ministry of Environment said.
The Project Document was signed last week by Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K.R. Uduwawala and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota.
The project will contribute towards:
- Strengthening governance, policies, and institutional capacities for integrated landscape and seascape management;
- Improving financing mechanisms and incentives for nature-based solutions;
- Demonstrating ecosystem-based management and nature-based solutions in selected coastal landscapes and seascapes;
- Enhancing awareness, knowledge management, and gender mainstreaming; and
- Strengthening monitoring and evaluation for effective and sustainable implementation.