Community Based Marine & Coastal Conservation Efforts of Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) By Thushan Kapurusinghe Project Leader Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) - Sri Lanka Postgraduate fellow Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) University of Kent, United Kingdom Member-Marine Turtle Specialist Group IUCN/SSC Global Fellow Duke University Marine Lab, NC, USA Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) No.72/4, Old Galle Road, Walana, Panadura, Sri Lanka Tel: 0094 777810509 E-mail: turtle@sltnet.lk Website: www.tcpsrilanka.org
My carrier history
The Case study Rekawa Village in Southern Sri Lanka
Rekawa Village Rekawa is a small fishing village on the South coast of Sri Lanka, approximately 10 kilometres eastwards along the coast from Tangalle.
Started working in Rekawa village in 1993
People were killing turtles and collecting all the eggs. Mangroves and coral reefs were harvested unsustainably
The problem was Poverty
Realized all are connected/integrated
The Solution! We developed a management approach that involves 1. Community Based Conservation (CBC) 2. Community Based Development (CBD) 3. Community Based Tourism (CBT) to address the environmental problems and break out of the vicious cycle of poverty and resource destruction
Field conservation & management In-situ Marine Turtle Nest Protection Programme in Rekawa
Research & surveys Satellite Tracking
Surveys and by-catch rescue
Coastal Restoration Planting Pandanus on coastal belt
Mangrove Restoration
Mangrove forests restored by TCP
Education and awareness Field training
Educational Materials produced
Exhibitions & awareness workshops
Street dramas & film shows organised
Art competitions
Community Based Livelihood Development Community batik group
Community sewing group
Ornamental fish breeding group
My awards for new research. Community livelihood development
Coir mats group
Farming group
3 Community Infrastructure Development Renovated road increases local business
Constructed bus halts to provided shelter
Community water supply
Community services Primary schools
Kitchen management trainng organised
Capacity development of the community
Exposure tours
Coastal clean-up programmes
Health clinics
Free herbal drink programme
Computer training
Book shop and sales outlet
English teaching
Community library in Rekawa
Promotion & preservation of local culture
2004 Asian Tsunami
First Aid Training Disaster preparedness
Swimming training
Training of wildlife officers
Training turtle hatchery owners
Turtle night watches in Rekawa Sanctuary
Rekawa Home stays The Virtual hotel
Knowledge Management & Sharing Saving Planet Earth (BBC) Waves of Hope (UNDP) Mangroves forever (IUCN) Lonely Planet
Highly commended, British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, April 1998.
Rekawa where sea turtle watching is popular, is among the top 10 eco friendly destinations named by online travel community IgoUgo, owned by Travelocity. The list is based on recommendations from IgoUgo editors who reviewed the journals by some of its 350,000 members with comments by the travelers listed
Finalist of the World Travel & Tourism Council Conservation Award, April 2008.
Finalist of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards (Tourism for tomorrow award), November 2008.
Environmentalist of the year 2004
The green employment award 2009 from the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources.
Top 10 of Asia
We earned these awards to our organisation
The Change we made
Declaration of Rekawa Sanctuary TCP was able to convince the Department of Wildlife to declare Rekawa beach as a Sanctuary on 25 th of May 2006 by a special gazette
This is our 24 th year in operation. (1993-2017)
Summary Strong leadership Knowledge Need a structure Community participation Community benefits Link with others Let others know Never give up Expand your work Charisma Professionalism Organization Capacity Development Incentives/alternatives Building partnerships Publicity/communication Long-term commitment Replicability
Replicability
Partnerships Conservation Research Community Media Academic Financial
Be the Change!