Trinity College, renowned for its dedication to environmental conservation, has initiated a significant endeavor to protect the avian population at the Trinity Eco Learning Arena (TELA) in the Pallekele Region. In collaboration with the Ornithology Club, Young Zoologists Club, and the Agriculture and Technology Faculty, the students and staff of Trinity are undertaking a commendable effort in light of the rapid industrial growth and urbanization in the area. The primary objective of this project is to conserve the identified bird species that utilize TELA as their nesting site.
The project aims to conserve the bird population in TELA by increasing the number of individual birds, addressing the negative impact caused by ongoing industrial developments in Pallekelle. Furthermore, the significance of the bird conservation project in TELA was substantiated by the survey conducted by the Young Zoologists' Club and the field visits organized by the Ornithology Club of Trinity College, Kandy (TCK). In this project there are two areas that are environmentally and socially important:
Habitat Preservation
Trinity College advocates for environmental education with a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to acquire firsthand experience in environmental preservation. They will learn about the significance of biodiversity conservation and the role that humans play in preserving natural habitats.
Community Engagement
Trinity aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of bird conservation within the local community. This initiative seeks to foster a sense of responsibility and inspire collective efforts among community members to preserve the natural beauty of the region. By involving the community, Trinity hopes to encourage active participation and engagement in conservation endeavors.
As part of an environmentally-friendly initiative and hardwood tree conservation effort, broken chairs and other damaged wooden furniture will be utilized as building materials. The Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, in addition to studying engineering and biosystem technology, will be responsible for designing the nest boxes.
The dimensions of the boxes will adhere to international standards and will be customized to suit the specific location. The structure itself will be designed using AutoCAD, and precise measurements will be taken to ensure suitability for the bird species in the region.
To observe the behavior of the birds, photographs will be captured over a distance of 600 meters from the nest boxes. A handheld GPS device will be employed to record the GPS coordinates of the nest boxes based on changes in behavioral patterns. Additionally, a map will be created and displayed, featuring all the collected GPS coordinates.
The first phase of this initiative will involve the installation of bird nest boxes by members of the Ornithology Club and the Young Zoologist Club on June 2nd, 2023, at the TELA premises. Subsequently, both clubs will conduct field visits in the coming months to observe and analyze how these boxes contribute to the birds' habitat.
This initiative aims to cultivate a profound sense of responsibility among individuals in preserving the innate splendor of our nation and fostering a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the environment. In its entirety, this endeavor signifies a momentous milestone in the conservation of bird species within the region of Pallekelle. It embodies a critical undertaking that strives to ensure the welfare and protection of these avian residents.
Written by Chaniru Senhas and Rehan Anandakumar (Web Content Team)
