1. Saving the mermaids: A Community based approach for conserving the globally threatened Dugong dugon in Sri Lanka
Biodiversity Education And Research (BEAR) conducted education and awareness programmes in the Northwest and Northern Sri Lanka. The Awareness programmes were carried out in Schools, fishing villages and at local churches after Sunday mass. Further, law enforcement personnel were also educated of the importance of the Seagrass beds and the Dugong as a key stone species. Prior to the awareness programmes a pre-awareness questionnaire was distributed, and after the awareness programmes a post-awareness questionnaire was distributed, to get a consensus of the level of outreach of the programmes.
Biodiversity Education And Research (BEAR) is aimed at preserving the precious biodiversity of the island for the future generation. To achieve its goals BEAR promotes biodiversity conservation through conducting research and developing innovative education materials. Bear also believes that knowledge gained through the research should convey to the communities through education will ultimately work for the conservation of biodiversity
Promote biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka through education and research.
Conduct research on poorly studied taxa to come up with conservation measures to protect species.
Develop innovative education programmes to make people aware about the existing biodiversity and its importance
Through the pre and post awareness questionnaires it was understood that the older villagers were more aware and concerned about the conservation of the dugong and seagrass meadows. Further, majority of the younger generation want to do other jobs to earn an income, than being fisher. It was also highlighted that at least one dugong is landed every month of the year. The flesh fetches a very high price compared to other meats, and also there is a huge demand for dugong flesh in the wet and dry forms.
Through proper education and awareness, the mindset of the local villagers can be changed, and there are few individuals who are willing to go that extra miles to protect and conserve the fragile marine ecosystem and to protect the dugong.
Further, from a young age if the message of conservation is inculcated into the mind of the younger generation, it is easy to change their mindset. Through our school programmes we saw many children taking the message of conservation home and telling their parent to protect the seagrass habitats and the dugong.
Educating the fisher
BEAR team with Navy personnel
BEAR is trying to secure funds to continue with the awareness programmes and to carryout out at sea research on the dugong. To get a rough consensus of the population and its last foothold in Sri Lanka waters. Additionally, to carryout research with our Indian counter part to get an idea of the population, as we share the same population with India.
Bycatch and uprooted seagrass
Supposed dugong foothold in SL