Dushan

Inspiring environmental change through timeless folk tales: The Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series

Inspiring environmental change through timeless folk tales: The Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series

Read the full article @ The Morning

World Environment Day 2021 falls on 5 June. The theme for World Environment Day 2021 is “Ecosystem Restoration” and it will see the launch of the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystem restoration can take many forms: growing trees, greening cities, rewilding gardens, changing diets, or cleaning up rivers and coasts. Part of the thought process behind the UN Decade on Ecosystem Regeneration is that this generation (and the one immediately after it) is the generation that can make peace with nature.

Children are our best hope for a sustainable future, and as a step towards creating that sustainable future, performance art company Power of Play, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Environmental Exploration Society (SLEES), will be hosting a series of theatre-based workshops through the month of June to reach out to children and connect with them on issues related to the environment.

This Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series is managed and performed by Power of Play, sponsored by the SLEES, funded by the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme with the support of the Australian Government.

Harnessing theatre to effect conscious thinking and behaviour shifts

Founded in 2011, Power of Play harnesses the highly adaptable nature of theatre and performance to tell stories and create experiences with universal appeal and cultural diversity in a way that breaks down barriers and brings different communities together. Working with the SLEES, Power of Play will adapt and perform four of our most beloved folk tales, Puhul Hora Karen Dane, Yakek Kanna Badagini, Nariya Raja Una Hati, and Thoppi Welenda, and using these folk tales illustrate the importance of environmental awareness and sustainable living.

SLEES President Ruwan Weerasooriya, who has headed the SLEES since its inception over 30 years ago, explained that the SLEES’ main focus is to engage with communities and build knowledge and awareness on environmental issues, which is what led to their partnership with Power of Play to build awareness among children on environmental conservation, reducing waste, improving food security, home gardening, and other small steps that children (and families) can take to live more sustainably, saying: “Young people have the energy to learn about these things and you can easily explain it to them.” He added that the younger generation learning about environmental sustainability from a young age will result in a more conscious population in the future.

Power of Play Founder and Artistic Director Sulochana Dissanayake also spoke about the importance of connecting with children on issues like environmental conservation at a young age, stating: “Children are musically easier to reach because they don’t have so many in-built perceptions yet; they’re still fresh off the boat in a way and it is easier to connect. Adults are pretty set in their practices and it is difficult to have effective behaviour change in adults (it’s part of the reason we’re called adults), because they’ve been around for a while and are used to doing things a certain way.”

Professional consultant – traditional drums, dance, and folk songs Sankha Jayalath (left) with Power of Play Founder and Artistic Director Sulochana Dissanayake

The Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series

The Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series will take place over the four Saturdays in June, starting from this Saturday, 5 June. The programme will feature four popular folk tales that have been curated by Power of Play because of how they can align with the message of climate change. The target audience for the series is from the ages of four to 12.

On 5 June, Power of Play will perform Puhul Hora Karen Dane, using the folk tale about the ash pumpkin thief to address food security during these times of scarcity and uncertainty, how to minimise food wastage in our own homes, why organic food is important, and the power of home gardening.

Saturday, 12 June will see the performance of the famous folktale Yakek Kanna Badagini, which will use the story of the yaka invading the gamarala’s home to talk about deforestation (the yaka only visits the gamarala because the tree he lives in has been cut down), the importance of conserving forestation, being mindful of indigenous communities, and people who already call the place you’re moving into “home”, limiting paper use and replanting trees and rethinking the concept of beauty to include zero waste, and how going vegetarian even twice a week can have a major impact on fighting climate change.

On 19 June, Power of Play will perform Nariya Raja Una Hati, the story of the jackal who fell into a paint bucket and is hailed by the other animals as a king because of his new appearance until they figure out he is a jackal. Nariya Raja Una Hati will be used to address water scarcity, highlighting how less than 50% of Sri Lanka has access to pipe-borne water and urging children (and adults), especially in urban areas, to be careful with how much water they consume.

The final instalment in the series, Thoppi Welenda, will be performed on 26 June and will focus on the loss of natural animal habitats and how humans clearing animals’ natural habitat leads to conflict between the animals in that area, urging children to figure out ways for humans and animals to co-exist.

Telling recognisable stories to inspire positive change

Dissanayake of Power of Play explained that the four folk tales being performed as part of The Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series have been adapted to make them resonate better with children of today and inspire them to look at how they can, individually and as a group, work to create a better world.

“I’m excited to be able to talk about environmental impact through these folk tales,” Dissanayake said, adding: “These stories are timeless. It’s how our ancestors taught all of us important things. Each story has very important morals and we’re happy to be performing these stories through the lens of climate change to see what kids can change for the future.”

The Sri Lankan Folk Tale Series will be performed from 10.30 to 11.30 a.m. on each Saturday of June (5 June, 12 June, 19 June, and 26 June) via Zoom and will be streamed live through the Power of Play Facebook page. Zoom participation is free – registration required. Please visit the Power of Play Facebook page for more details (www.facebook.com/powerinfoplay).

Posted by Dushan, 0 comments
Residential workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Identification of Community Based Adaptation Strategies.

Residential workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Identification of Community Based Adaptation Strategies.

A two-day residential workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Identification of Community Based Adaptation Strategies was held by Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society (SLEES) on 25th and 26th of July 2020 at Ganga Addara Hotel, Peradeniya. About 50 individuals from the GEF- SGP grantee NGOs of the Knuckles landscape and community representatives from villages in the Knuckles landscape participated in this workshop. Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Keerthi Mohotti, Chairman, NSC, GEF-SGP UNDP, Dr. Samantha Suranjan, Mr. Ajith Silva, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources, Ms. Dakshini Perera, Assistant Director, Climate Change Secretariat, Mr. Anurudhdha Thennakoon, Assistant Director, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources, Mr. Mendis Wickremasinghe, Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka participated as resource persons.
The workshop consisted of important sessions such as Adaptation for Climate Change, Impact of Climate Change on Reptiles & Amphibians, Traditional Knowledge on Climate Change & National Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation, etc.
Inputs of the community on climate change and their suggestions on climate change adaptation were collected and localized climate change adaptation strategies to Knuckles Landscape were identified from these inputs.
Posted by Dushan, 0 comments
Residential workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Identification of community Based Adaptation Strategies for Northern Province Landscape

Residential workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Identification of community Based Adaptation Strategies for Northern Province Landscape

A two-day residential workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Identification of Community Based Adaptation Strategies was held by Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society (SLEES) on the 12th and 13th of September 2020 at Green Grass Hotel, Hospital Road, Jaffna. About 40 individuals from the GEF- SGP grantee NGOs of the Northern Province and community representatives from Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Jaffna districts in the Nothern Province participated in this workshop. Dr. Gajapathi Kanapathy, Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna, Dr. P. Iyngaran, Senior Lecturer, University of Jaffna, Dr. Raji Gnaneswaren, member, NSC, GEF-SGP UNDP, Dr. Samantha Suranjan, Mrs. Jeyawanthi Roy participated as resource persons.

The workshop conducted in the Tamil language consisted of important sessions such as Adaptation for Climate Change, Impact of Climate Change on coastal ecosystems, National Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation, etc. Inputs of the community on climate change and their suggestions on climate change adaptation were collected and localized climate change adaptation strategies to Knuckles Landscape were identified from these inputs.

Posted by Dushan, 0 comments
World Mountain Day 2020 National Celebration

World Mountain Day 2020 National Celebration

World Mountain Day 2020 National Celebration was held on the 11th of December 2020 near the 27th milepost in Reverston, Matale. A 15km long hike had been organized to explore a new nature trail starting from the Reverston area leading to Etanwela village through Baybrook & Sudugala estates. About 100 individuals from the District Secretariat of Matale, Department of Forest, Disaster Management Centre, Divisional Secretariats, Scout Association, Police, environmental organizations, and media participated in this hike. GAFEC, Dumbara Mituro, District Secretariat of Matale & GEF-SGP UNDP jointly contributed to this event.

Posted by Dushan, 0 comments
World Mountain Day 2019 National Celebration

World Mountain Day 2019 National Celebration

World Mountain Day 2019 National Celebration was held on 10th of December 2019 centering on the Kelebokka 360 view point in Panwila DS division of the Kandy District. Main event was held at the Kabaragala Vipulananda Vidyalaya premises with the participation of Mr. Thissa Karunarathne, District Secretary of Kandy, Mr. S.M.G.K. Perera, District Secretary of Matale Mrs. Pathma Abeykoon, Director, Biodiversity Diversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and Mr. K.P. Welikannage, Director, Central Provincial Office of the Central Environmental Authority.

Girl guides who participated to the camping event and the group of environmental cadets of the Vipulananda Vidyalaya were awarded during the main ceremony.  The event consisted of various cultural items, donation of sports items to the school, a 6km hike to reach the 360 view point at the Kelebokka Estate and a para gliding event with the participation of foreign and local sky divers at the 360 view point.

Pull-Up banners displaying information about the GEF-SGP projects working in the Knuckles landscape, their project activities and expected results was displayed at the event. This event was organized by the District Secretariat of Matale, District Secretariat of Kandy, Provincial Council of the Central Province, Bio Diversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Forest Department of Matale, Kelebokka State Plantation, GAFEC Sri Lanka and the NGO Federation of the Matale district. The GEF-SGP programme of the UNDP, grantee projects in the Knuckles landscape and SLEES, the knowledge management team financially contributed to this event.

Posted by Dushan, 1 comment
Workshop on Eco-Tourism Development for GEF- SGP Projects

Workshop on Eco-Tourism Development for GEF- SGP Projects

A workshop on eco-tourism development was held on 7th of November 2019 at Hector Kobbakaduwa Agrarian Research & Training Institute (HARTI), Colombo. The workshop was organized for projects engaged in eco-tourism related activities in the Colombo, Mannar & Knuckles landscapes.The workshop was conducted by Mr. Herman Sieban, eco-tourism expert from PUM Netherlands and Lanka Social Ventures (LSV). The workshop consisted of a lecture on global trends in eco-tourism and a discussion with the grantee projects about their eco-tourism activities.

Posted by Dushan, 1 comment
Residential Workshop on Experience Sharing on Social Enterprise Formation

Residential Workshop on Experience Sharing on Social Enterprise Formation

A two day Residential Workshop was held in Sembuwatta Polo bungalow, Elkaduwa Estate, Elkaduwa, Matale on 30th September 2019 and 01st October 2019. The GEF-SGP Projects of Knuckles Landscape presented on their future activities and a discussion was held on matters of achieving indicator targets of each project. On the second day of the workshop Mr. Radley Dissage, Senior Superintendent of Elkaduwa Estate shared his experience on formation of estate worker’s housing corporative society and establishment of Sembuwatta lake nature tourism project. This workshop was facilitated by Sri Lanka Environment Exploratron Society (SLEES), the Knowledge Management partner for the Knuckles landscape.

Posted by Dushan, 0 comments
Two Day Residential Workshop on Bio Diversity in Knuckles Conservation Forest

Two Day Residential Workshop on Bio Diversity in Knuckles Conservation Forest

Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society organized a two day residential training programme on bio diversity in the Knuckles Conservation Forest on 8th-9th of June 2019 at Illukkumbura. Young individuals from beneficiary communities and project staff of the projects working in the Knuckles landscape participated to this workshop. The programme was carried out by Herpetefoaunal Foundation under the guidance of Mr. Mendis WIckermasinghe. The programme consisted of practical sessions such as identification of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians etc.

Posted by Dushan, 1 comment
Join Us!

Join Us!

Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society has provided an opportunity to join the initiative. If you are interested to join with us and take part in our future exploration & environment conservation activities please join our Facebook group and please fill following form.

Posted by Dushan, 1 comment
A SYMPOSIUM TO SHARE EXPERIENCES OF GEF-SGP PROJECTS

A SYMPOSIUM TO SHARE EXPERIENCES OF GEF-SGP PROJECTS

The knowledge Sharing Symposium was held parallel to the SOBA-2017 World Environment Day Commemoration program on July 9 and 10 at the Mahaweli Centre, Colombo in the presence of representatives from various local government authorities, UN agencies, academia, and civil society organization members. The symposium provided a great opportunity to share the experiences of projects funded by the Global Environment Facilities Small Grants Programme and CBR+ REDD programme of the UNDP.

Lightening the traditional lamp

More than 30 projects presented at the symposium and an expert panel commented on each session. An abstract book was launched at the event along with two publications by the projects. A poster presentation was also held during the symposium. The projects were based on various GEF focal areas such as bio diversity, chemicals, climate change, international waters, land degradation and Knowledge management. Moreover several outstanding projects of previous operational phases and some Full size Projects (FSP) were also given the opportunity to present at the symposium. At the end of the programme certificates were awarded for several projects which had received local and international awards in recognition of their work. A certificate of appreciation was awarded to all participants. SLEES as a member of the organizing team, provided assistance to make the event a reality, specially in publishing the Abstract Book.

National coordinator addressing the event

Participants

       

Group photo of the participants

More Information on GEF SGP official website http://gefsgpsl.org/GlobalThinking-KnowledgeSharingSymposium.aspx ">
Posted by Dushan, 0 comments