Environment Min. instructs CEA to update the red data book

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to immediately update the Red data Book according to the new edition released by the Wildlife Department.

He said this while mentioning the ‘World Migratory Bird Day' which falls tomorrow (8). The Minister said the new edition of the Red Data Book on Endangered Species of Wildlife in Sri Lanka has been printed and completed. 

The theme of this year's World Migratory Bird Day event is "Sing, Fly, Soar - Like a bird".

The launching event of the edition was advised to be postponed for few more days due to the current COVID-19  pandemic situation in the country.

The Minister instructed the CEA to call all the environmental organizations and environmentalists who had supported the project to launch the Red Data Book.

The Minister said that the new edition contains information on endangered birds in our country and maintains the ideal environment for wildlife to live in while maintaining the international recognition of our country as the only country in the world with the largest wildlife population per square kilometre.

“Bird Migration is occurring from different parts of the world due to climate and biological reasons. Bird migration often occurs in some countries with the onset of winter. As a result, birds find it difficult to find food and shelter, so they fly in search of suitable climates,” the Minister said.

“About 115 to 150 species of birds migrate to Sri Lanka from other countries. There are three areas in our country where bird migration takes place. Birds enter the country from the old land areas near Kalpitiya along the western coast of India some birds are fly through the Andaman Islands and enter the country between Jaffna and Trincomalee,” the Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)