Dilmah Tea Celebrates World Wetlands Day 2025 at Beddagana Wetland Park

The initiative focuses on enhancing the Beddagana Wetland Park, a key part of the Colombo Wetland Complex, which plays a crucial role in regulating the city’s watershed and contributing to climate resilience

Dilmah Conservation will host a unique event ‘Dusk to Dawn: Experience the Wetland Wonder’ on 1st and 2nd February 2025. The celebration will consist of two days of engaging and hands-on conservation related activities – all free of charge – from camera trapping demos, moth and bat trapping, presentations on nocturnal animals to a night walk through the Beddagana Wetland 

Atwo-day Immersive experience showcasing the Wonders of Wetland Conservation  to celebrate World Wetlands Day this year, Dilmah Conservation will host a unique event ‘Dusk to Dawn: Experience the Wetland Wonder’ on 1st and 2nd February 2025. The celebration will consist of two days of engaging and hands-on conservation related activities – all free of charge – from camera trapping demos, moth and bat trapping, presentations on nocturnal animals to a night walk through the Beddagana Wetland. There will be discussions and nature storytelling by eminent conservation experts. All this is in line with this year’s theme for World Wetlands Day of ‘Protecting wetlands for our common future.’
It is one year of partnership between the Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka and Dilmah Tea to enhance the Beddagana Wetland Park as an environmental education hub and conduct a variety of experiential nature education programmes. The initiative focuses on enhancing the Beddagana Wetland Park, a key part of the Colombo Wetland Complex, which plays a crucial role in regulating the city’s watershed and contributing to climate resilience.
Established in 1986, Beddagana is home to rich biodiversity and has the potential to become a leading hub for environmental and conservation education. To support this vision, Dilmah Tea engaged its environmental arm, Dilmah Conservation, and in the effort has brought over 500 people to the park through its learning and awareness programmes. These sessions, which cover topics such as wetland conservation, dragonfly biology, birdwatching, and biodiversity, have had a deep impact on visitors, raising awareness about the vital role of wetlands in maintaining ecological balance. 
Narmada Dangampola, Consultant and Environmental Educator, Dilmah Conservation remarked, “World Wetlands Day is an opportunity to highlight the invaluable services wetlands provide, from biodiversity to climate regulation. Through our ongoing initiatives at Beddagana, we aim to deepen public understanding and inspire action towards the preservation of these vital ecosystems.”
Rishan Sampath, Manager - Conservation and Sustainability, Dilmah Tea, said, “By engaging the public in these immersive experiences, we hope to deepen the connection between people and nature, fostering a new generation of environmental stewards.”
A key challenge in improving educational access to the park had been the state of its infrastructure, particularly the damaged deck, which limited certain educational activities and the overall visitor experience. In response, Dilmah Tea  committed to repairing and renovating the walkway, ensuring a more accessible and enjoyable environment for all.
Engaging the local community is also crucial for the long-term preservation of the wetlands. To this end, Dilmah Conservation conducts programmes for the UDA established Beddagana Nature Club, which hosts monthly programmes aimed at educating and inspiring local children to appreciate and care for the wetlands. While building community interest has been a gradual process, the Nature Club has proven to be a successful initiative for fostering sustained involvement in conservation efforts.
As the park continues to develop through this public-private partnership, Dilmah Tea remains committed to supporting Beddagana Wetland Park as an important space for environmental education and conservation, helping ensure its continued preservation for future generations.