Using nature as a tool for reconciling local communities

Reconciling communities scarred by the devastating outcomes of war using the rejuvenating resonance of nature.

The initial stages of the programme saw children and youth, who were deprived of visiting and appreciating many locations in Sri Lanka due to the now concluded war, attend a series of classes, workshops and share information on the study of birds and nature, through exchange programmes and field excursions to the North, South and the East of the island.

Using nature as a tool to build solidarity between communities is the central theme of the Reconciliation Through the Power of Nature Programme carried out by Dilmah Conservation in partnership with the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) and the Centre for Children’s Happiness (CCH) in Jaffna .

Following the conclusion of the three decade long war in Sri Lanka, the need for reconciliation was of paramount importance as the root causes and distrust between communities prevailed despite the end of hostilities. Reconciliation through the Power of Nature aimed to build a shared Sri Lankan identity with Jaffna’s younger generation as its principle target.

A series of workshops and field studies were carried out for students in the Jaffna District. Training included lessons on ecology, bird watching and identification, as well as building their knowledge on the environment.

The programme also included the publication of Sri Lanka’s first Tamil language book on birds - The Birds of Sri Lanka - in a joint effort between Dilmah Conservation and the FOGSL.

Fostering a shared appreciation for Sri Lanka’s natural wealth

In an effort to consolidate and strengthen the efforts undertaken by the Reconciliation Through the Power of Nature Programme and the Dugong Awareness Initiative, Dilmah Conservation supported the establishment of school-centred Nature Appreciation Clubs in the Northern Province. 60 clubs were established in the Jaffna District and a further 45 were set up in the Mannar District. These clubs were founded towards encouraging students to embrace the importance of social and environmental responsibility, the conservation of biodiversity and to provide them with a sustained forum to learn and actively explore their interest in nature.

Nature is therapeutic and it provides the necessary background for any type of reconciliation. Through years of studying nature, my experiences very clearly indicate that once we go into nature we forget all our differences.

- Professor Sarath Kotagama,

Department of Zoology, University of Colombo

During the 71 riots I lost many of my family members and I was so angry with the then ruling party. Therefore, we should understand that there is bitterness in the lives of the people living in the North, as they all faced similar situations. That is why using a platform such as nature to reconcile communities would be the ideal approach for Sri Lanka

Udaya Gammanpila

Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Irrigation, Trade and Environment

A panel discussion, following the theme of ‘Reconciliation Through the Power of Nature’, was held at a two day event organised by Dilmah Conservation in early 2014. The discussion addressed the importance of promoting and strengthening environmental and nature education.

The distinguished panel was headed by Hon. Udaya Gammanpila, Minister of Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Irrigation, Trade and Environment in the Western Provincial Council, Professor Sarath Kotagama from the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Mr. K. Raja Ram, Committee Member of the Jaffna Peace Council and moderated by Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director at the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka.

With constructive feedback from the audience, the panel examined how children who have begun to appreciate and understand the natural world could convey the message of conservation to their parents, brothers and sisters and, in turn, influence whole communities to alter their perspective on protecting their natural surroundings. While exploring examples of previous attempts made by various schools and organisations to promote the conservation of nature through a new generation of thoughtful and well-informed kids, the panel sought to encourage comments and responses from the audience members, prompting their views on the subjects. Many agreed that children were the ideal ambassadors of this message.

At the event, special attention was accorded to overcoming the fear and phobia of snakes in children. With the supervision of adults, many children visited the Ahikuntaka tents, on location, to touch and connect with these creatures.