SLBBP marks Biodiversity Day

The Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform (SLBBP) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with patrons of the Platform, Hatton National Bank and Dilmah Conservation, hosted an event to mark the United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity which fell on May 22 under the theme for this year - Island Biodiversity.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Madhava Meegaskumbura of the Science Faculty of the Peradeniya University.

Dr. Megaskumbura used the 'frog story' to highlight the predicament Sri Lanka is in, continuously losing her valued species richness. The phenomenal richness has arisen primarily from evolutionary radiations resulting in endemic genera and species, supplemented by land bridging repeatedly with the Indian mainland.

Due to this Sri Lanka has been declared a biological hotspot with the Western Ghats of India.

Sri Lanka has lost 20% of its amphibian fauna.

Of the remaining species, more than 50% are at risk of extinction. Most amphibian extinctions in Sri Lanka occurred about 150 years ago when forests were cleared to make way for coffee, and later, tea plantations. Only 800 square kilometres or five percent of the island's original rainforest cover remains. Development in recent years has encroached into vital amphibian habitats, destroying the ecological balance. Many montane species in Sri Lanka have been categorised as Critically Endangered (CR).

The influence of business on our environment and animals inhabiting it is steadily increasing. Engaging with businesses, therefore, becomes all the more important to address the conservation challenges of our time. "Amphibians are facing an extinction crisis. Raising awareness and building new partnerships and relationships where business and conservation interests are met, is fundamental," a SLBBP spokesman said.