On the 1st of May, the Central Environmental Authority and Dilmah Conservation came together to launch the Sobha Mithuro Kalkudah Nature Club at our East Centre.
Over 100 students from schools across the Batticaloa district joined the initiative, marking the beginning of what we hope will become a long-term journey in environmental stewardship.
What is ‘Sobha Mithuro’?
‘Sobha Mithuro’ is a community-based environmental initiative that inspires children and youth to become environmentally conscious citizens through nature education, conservation activities, and sustainable lifestyle practices.
The objective is to bridge the gap in environmental education on climate change, water conservation, and biodiversity.
One of the most memorable moments came from Dr. Ajith Gunawardena, Director of Environmental Education at the Central Environment Authority, and his daughter, Ms. Mihini Akithma, who encouraged students to truly observe nature in order to love and protect it.
Their advice was beautifully practical – keep a nature diary.
And so, surrounded by the trees of our dry zone arboretum, the students made their very first diary entries.
The most evocative observations received certificates, while every participant walked away with a recycled-plastic-covered nature diary to continue documenting the world around them.
What began as a single launch is now set to grow into monthly meetups at the Dilmah Conservation Centre- Kalkudah and participating schools, creating a space where curiosity, science, and nature can meet.
