National World Wildlife Day celebration to be held at Yala

Colombo, Feb 24 (Daily Mirror) - The national celebration of World Wildlife Day will be held on March 3 at the Lunugamvehera area of Yala National Park, organized by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Yala National Park is one of Asia’s most renowned destinations for leopard viewing and represents diverse ecosystems, including dry zone tropical evergreen forests, grasslands, wetlands, sand dunes, coastal stretches and riverine habitats.

The Lunugamvehera zone, spanning 23,498.8 hectares around the Lunugamvehera Reservoir, is considered ecologically significant and rich in biodiversity.

The main event will be held under the patronage of Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi. The keynote address, titled “Wildlife Conservation Ensures Human Survival,” will be delivered by Professor Sagarika Kannangara of the University of Kelaniya.

Awards and certificates will be presented to winners of the island-wide school wildlife cartoon competition and the open wildlife short drama competition. The best tourist bungalow within national parks will also be recognized.

In addition, the coral reef area of Thalawila is set to be officially declared as the “Thalawila–Kalpitiya Sanctuary” during the event.