ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
acting in harmony with nature
The Lotus Life Foundation supports and initiates environmental protection projects. Its activities are mainly focused on Asia. Compared to Western countries, the environmental protection in Asia and associated developing countries still receives very little attention.
The rainforests and subtropical zones of Asia are home to an immense biodiversity and play crucial role in addressing CO2 emissions as well as impacting our global climate. Unfortunately, increasing amounts of rainforests in Asia are cut down and converted into agricultural land.
We are committed to protecting the rainforests and its colorful flora and fauna, as well as supporting sustainable agriculture in inhabited rainforest areas such as mixed gardens and organic crops, following centuries long tradition of Sri Lanka.
Biodiversity Project in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot of international importance as the island, although small, houses an immense biodiversity characterized by endemism.
23% of the flowering plants, some species of animals, especially amphibians, reptiles and some bird species are endemic, meaning Sri Lanka is their sole habitat.
Most of the endemic species live in the humid region of the island, e.g. the Ceylon Star. Other species of birds are found everywhere in Sri Lanka. The colorful Bundala, the shy Black-hooded Oriole, the Lesser Cuckoo, the Dwarf Kingfisher, the Sri Lankan Jungle Owl, the Yellow fronted Barbet, the Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, the Spurfowl or the Ceylon Starling – to name just a few endemic bird species.
Also characteristic of Sri Lanka are the sea turtles – there are only seven species worldwide, five of which are native to Sri Lanka. We established the turtle farm in Kosgoda to mitigate steady decline in population and ensure undisturbed breeding. Unfortunately, farm was destroyed by the last tsunami, but could be rebuilt with donations.
Five different species of sea turtles are reared on the farm. The eggs are dug up or bought at the market and then buried in the sand again on the farm site.
In order to protect endangered sea turtles and preserve their habitat, we would like to convince the government to declare coastal strips in the south and east of the island a nature reserve.
