Dikhena, Badureliya – WNPS ROAR Project, Diyakothkanda

ROAR (Reforestation Of A Rainforest) is the oldest running project of WNPS. These learnings provided much needed background for us to pursue our PLANT ambitions. After an initial setback, the project was resuscitated and developed under sound scientific principles in 2016 with the assistance and guidance of Professors Savitri and Nimal Gunatilleke and Dr. Suranjan Fernando. Diyakothakanda is a typical lowland rainforest that has been clear felled and cultivated by subsistence farmers and abandoned after depletion of soil fertility. When WNPS stepped in to reforest this steep denuded hill slope of about 5 acres in extent, the entire site was completely colonized by the ‘Old World Forked Fern’ Dicranopteris linearis, popularly known as Kekilla, and repeatedly set on fire by the local vandals. WNPS has been able to successfully arrest and reverse this status to slowly bring back the rainforest. In zones A and B, we are in the second lap of the relay floristics technique where our initially planted fast growing and sun loving pioneer species such as Kenda, Geduma, Bukenda, Bovitiya etc. suppressed the Kekilla by cutting off the sunlight which it needs for survival. Under the shade provided by the pioneer species we were soon able to introduce early successional forest trees which are now growing well. In Zone C, where the soil is badly damaged, the process will be longer.

Our Forest is coming alive - new visitors enter ROAR!

Subsequent to the successful growth of the 10-15 foot canopy, the ROAR team have now discovered many endemic and special species back within the site. They include species such as the Toque Macaque, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon, Green-billed Coucal, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Red-backed Flameback, Layard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Swallow and the Black-capped Bulbul. Several snakes and lizards now make it their home including the Whistling Lizard, Rough-nosed Horned Lizard, Sri Lanka Kangaroo Lizard, Sri Lankan green vine snake, Sri Lanka Cat snake, Sri Lankan Wolf Snake and the Lowland Hump-nosed pit Viper. Amphibians include Common Shrub Frog and Common hour-glass tree-frogs. These are all endemic to Sri Lanka as is the Sri Lanka Birdwing butterfly which graces us with its bright yellow colours (our largest butterfly specie). Many other species have been recorded as well, which strongly indicates project success in terms of reforestation. There are several research projects planned to assess the flora and fauna diversity within the site in future.

Community Engagement is Key.

WNPS strongly believes in community engagement for future success, and in the case of ROAR, it has extended not just to the setting up of Community plant nurseries, but towards major infusion of knowledge and funds into the adjacent school through building new libraries, infrastructure and doing many workshops, mural paintings and more. The library building of the Dikhena Kanishta Vidyalaya, renovated at a cost of nearly Rs 3 million, by Mr. Ajita de Costa, (our current ROAR sponsor) in loving memory of his mother Mrs. Iris Bertha de Costa, was handed over to the students at a simple ceremony held at the school on Sunday 20th November 2022.