Music - the way to save rainforests

It is a fusion of the best of nature - music and rainforests. It may not be the typical natural rainforest music but the music is making a voice to save Sri Lankan rain forests. This is a concert to raise funds in aid of awareness for the conservation of Sri Lankan rain forests.

The WNPS of Sri Lanka was set up in 1894. It is one of the oldest conservation entities in Asia and has been in the forefront of numerous milestones pertaining to conservation efforts.

The fusion is a concert titled 'Green Tear Concert'. As for the organisers, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) this is the first time a concert of this nature has been organised to raise awareness and conserve rainforests. Featuring Alien Accent, the Green Tear Concert, places the spotlight on the world heritage site Sinharaja with its high biodiversity and large population of endemic plant and bird species. The objective for WNPS to focus on rainforest conservation is because almost all of Sri Lanka's endemic flora and fauna are confined to rainforests.

The WNPS of Sri Lanka was set up in 1894. It is one of the oldest conservation entities in Asia and has been in the forefront of numerous milestones pertaining to conservation efforts.

Speaking at a media briefing, the President of WNPS, Prof.Lakdas Fernando said that the formulation of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance in 1938 and the formation of the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1949, were a result of work with the Government. "Sri Lanka's forest cover has been dwindling from the time of British Colonial rule, where thousands of acres of forest cover were cleared for coffee, rubber, coconut and tea plantations. Very little of the island's original rainforest cover remains," said Prof. Fernando highlighting the need for efforts to conserve rainforests of Sri Lanka. Industrialisation, cultivation, encroachment and illegal felling of trees are taking its toll on rain forests. Prof.Fernando said that it was crucial that the WNPS carries out its mandate. "With our future generations in mind, we need to act now to help regenerate rainforests," said Prof. Fernando. The WNPS has already initiated several programs to conserve the Sinharaja rainforest in collaboration with the Department of Forest and Wildlife Conservation. "This is not just protecting fauna and flora.

We strongly focus on community participation of that locality. We have implemented several projects to strengthen the kithul industry which is widespread in the area," said Prof. Fernando.

However, in the recent past work towards these efforts have been challenging due to lack of funding. Pioneer conservationists brought in this novel concept of a concert is an effort to bring a solution to the obstacle. The event will be staged at the Bishop's College auditorium on June 29. The musical trio 'Alien Accent' expressed enthusiasm for the goodwill gesture and will perform at this event." All of us feel for this cause and we have been rehearsing for the past two months to ensure that our music will do justice to this cause," said Dillain of Alien Accent.

Their message oriented music has gathered a large following.

Alien Accent comprises Dillain, Suresh and DK.

- DY