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| Sunday, 11 January 2004 |
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Youngsters lead conservation drive by Vimukthi Fernando
Green Forest That is when Harendra Yasas Serasinghe and three of his friends started a society to streamline their involvement in nature conservation. A practical decision in their work process, "We knew that we have to be organised and have an authority to support us if we wanted to take the message of conservation to the masses. They would not just listen to a few young boys", says Serasinghe. But, this voluntary organisation, the Green Forest Association (GFA) was to be totally different from that of others, "Because we sought change, a deviance may be from the ongoing system. While many wanted foreign aid and monetary assistance we wanted experience. We wanted to find a more practical solution. See what could be done from the people's perspective. That is to find out what could people who are actually suffering from different situations of environment degradation contribute to the effort of conservation." Awareness The four volunteers soon realised that the first step to conservation is awareness creation. Soon, leaflets and pamphlets in easy to read Sinhala, a wealth of information on protected areas, national parks, endemic animals and so on were placed in the hands of students who came into contact with GFA. Two certificate courses, on environment conservation and nature photography were conducted free of charge for students interested in the fields with the voluntary support of resource persons - university lecturers, officers from relevant government agencies and veteran photographers. "The Green" a mobile exhibition unit was established to help create environmental awareness among students and a series of lectures on nature conservation was organised in schools. Different Stepping in to the villages was simultaneous, with areas and issues of involvement abounding. "It is a different scenario of environment conservation and social work when it comes to the villages", says Serasinghe. "It is totally different from Colombo. One has to live the life, feel with them and feel for them. Experience their ideas, thoughts, knowledge and culture," he adds. Economic hardship sometimes makes them take harmful decisions, says Serasinghe. "In conservation what we 'preach' most of the time is a list of 'do nots'. But, conservation, if it is to become sustainable should include alternatives that increases knowledge and provide economic benefits. This is the contribution GFA tries to make to the different communities we work with. Though we have to take hard decisions at times, awareness creation and communication with the community help us overcome the obstacles most of the time," he explains. "Haritha Pubudu" GFA's village development programme is aimed at achieving economic development and stability in the rural sector, thereby encouraging active involvement of the villagers in environment conservation. The project looks into almost all aspects of life. While promoting home gardening, use of organic fertiliser, minimising the use of polythene and cultivation of timber and native trees where nature conservation is concerned, the programme initiates personal savings accounts and a lecture/seminar series on personality development. Uplifting the standards of living in the rural community is a challenge, says Serasinghe. "I like a challenge though. I cannot work without a challenge. GFA expects the programme to eliminate the negative attitudes of the individuals and the community and lead successful and positive lives," explains Serasinghe. GFA's latest project involving all these factors is "Haritha Daruwo" a scholarship programme for 1,000 school children. While the first batch of 125 students from year 6 to 8 were awarded scholarships in Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee are selected for the programme. Haritha Daruwo offers children from needy families with stationery, uniforms and assistance to cover transport costs throughout their school career. It encourages them on savings by opening savings accounts at local banks. Environment friendly living is promoted through active participation on environment conservation and sustainable development projects in the locality. A long way With nearly 400 members only in their school education unit, from the initial four members at its establishment in February 1999, GFA has come a long way, its course steered by founder and Executive Director, Harendra Yasas Serasinghe. And GFA is proud that all their efforts were sponsored by local agencies, "Without a cent of foreign aid,' according to Serasinghe. Awaiting a move to more spacious and environment friendly premises, with facilities for a nature trail and a library of over 2,000 books on environment GFA aims to double its efforts in nature conservation in the next five years. From the four founder members, only he is left at the organisation full time says Serasinghe, others have selected different vocations, but still provide their voluntary support at whatever the time necessary. Why did he chose environment conservation as his vocation? Didn't his parents urge him to seek secure employment? Their trust and support was the best encouragement he had, says Serasinghe. "My parents and three sisters never complained, though they would have been concerned when I used family assets, telephone, car, even money for the organisation. They trusted me and knew that this is what I wanted to do. I cannot help giving 24 hours of the day for GFA," says Serasinghe. "Every night I think of the organisation and what we have to do. Our pathway was never smooth. However, whatever the obstacles that appear on your path, if you are trying to achieve a righteous goal, you can win. No matter what others say, if you are right you can reach your goal. My motto is that if there is a will there is a way," he smiles. Serasinghe's efforts in environment conservation were recently recognised by the Junior Chamber of Sri Lanka affiliated to the Jaycees. At 26, Serasinghe, was the youngest winner of The Outstanding Young Person award. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
The little boy who enjoyed walking through the woods capturing the
beauty of the jungles on film would never have thought that nature
conservation would one day become his vocation, not even when he became
the president of the school Environment Society and held the office of the
president of the Student Federation of Photographers for two consecutive
years. But, the time he stayed home awaiting Advanced Level results
changed the course of his life.
