Author: Diyani Perera

Experiencing and Understanding the Urban Wetlands from Dusk to Dawn In Honour of World Wetlands Day 2025 Wetlands are delicate ecosystems, but their importance goes far beyond the surface. Dilmah’s “Dusk to Dawn” event held in honour of World Wetlands Day served as an eye-opener to wetland biodiversity, the challenges of these ecosystems and reasons why we should protect wetlands. Held on two consecutive days (1st and 2nd Feb), the event invited the public (free of charge) to explore the Beddagana Wetlands, part of the Colombo Wetland Complex – the world’s first Ramsar-accredited capital wetland city. The event wasn’t just about seeing the wetlands; it was about understanding them. Knowledge-sharing sessions in the backdrop of Beddagana wetlands were led by experts setting the foundation for the highly anticipated portion of the evening – the wetland night walk. Day 1 Narmada Dangampola, Environmental Educator at Dilmah Conservation, and Rukmal Ratnayake, Conservation Biologist, captivated the audience with a session on nocturnal animal behaviour and calls, allowing participants to hear the actual sounds of these hidden creatures. This was followed by sessions on mist netting and Sri Lankan bats by Dr. Tharaka Kusuminda, and an introduction to camera trapping techniques by Anya Ratnayaka. Then it was time to go on the night wetland walk… Groups of participants, guided along the trails, discovered the quiet life that thrives in the darkness – although the music blaring from nearby residential spaces and dog barks occasionally disturbed the stillness! Butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, centipedes, paddy field frogs, fish and lesser whistling ducks were seen resting. Bird calls echoed through the night air, as participants challenged themselves to identify each call they heard, immersing themselves in the rhythms of the wetlands after sundown. The event also sparked important conversations about the future of Sri Lanka’s wetlands. A panel discussion moderated by Narmada Dangampola brought together key figures in conservation, including Prof. Devaka Weerakoon, Nishanthi Perera, and Chandana Kalupahana. They shared insights into the wetlands’ Ramsar status and discussed the crucial steps needed to ensure the health of these ecosystems for years to come.  Dr. Weerakoon emphasised the true value of these ecosystems, stating that Colombo’s wetlands provide services worth an estimated LKR 16 billion  annually. He also highlighted the role of urban wetlands in flood defense, particularly in cities like Colombo, where the risk of flooding is high. Day 2 On day two, an early morning guided walk took participants into the wetlands once again, but this time with a twist. Children joined a scavenger hunt, eagerly seeking out native and endemic species, while gaining hands-on knowledge about the plants and animals that populate these vital ecosystems. The event left participants with a renewed sense of responsibility, especially the younger generation, who will be the ones who continue this important work. The Beddagana Wetland Park is a collaboration between the Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka and Dilmah Conservation to enhance opportunities for wetland education at the park. Since the collaboration began a year ago, more than 500 individuals have participated in educational programmes at the park, a clear indication of the success and positive impact of this pioneering public-private partnership.