A review of the man and the biosphere programme in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper summarises the major programmes carried out under the purview of the Man and Biosphere National Committee of Sri Lanka. Under the UNESCO MAB programme 41 forest reserves covering a total extent of 72760 ha have been demarcated. Two of these viz, Hurulu and Sinharaja, were admitted to the international network of biosphere reserves. The study of the environmental impacts of the Mahaweli Irrigation Project initiated in 1977 was a major contribution towards environment conservation and sustainable development. Progress was made on the revision of Trimen's Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, originally published between 1893 and 1900. The project on the preparation of checklists and handbooks to the fauna and flora, and other activities such as international/regional workshops and future directions of the MAB programme in Sri Lanka are briefly discussed.