World Migratory Bird Day
by Nilma Dole
[email protected]
This weekend marks the World Migratory Bird Day that will revolve
around a theme called ‘Migratory Birds - Ambassadors for Biodiversity’.
In Sri Lanka, the Field Ornithologists Association (FOGSL) have
planned bird watching excursions even though it is not particularly the
migration season. Professor S. Kotagama of FOGSL highlighted “We are at
the end of the Asian region for the migration of birds before the Arctic
circle so this makes Sri Lanka an important migration spot”.
The Professor mentioned that more protection should be given to the
wetlands and habitats in order to help the migratory bird species on
their way.Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation
W.A.D.A. Wijesooriya said “Under the Flora and Fauna Protection
Ordinance, we have laws to protect the migratory species of birds in the
three wetlands namely the Bundala, Anawilundawa and the Madu ganga”.
In order to better understand the species, they authorise permits for
researchers to study them. He emphasized that the International
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) set up by the United Nations
Environmental Programme was also signed by Sri Lanka to protect the
migration of birds. |