Below are a list of things you can do to help save our environment and wildlife for us and future generations. One person cannot save the earth, but collectively we can make a difference. Most of these do not cost you anything. Some would actually save you money.

1. Use Reusable shopping bags. Say no to plastic bags. (Several Sri Lankan stores now offer reusable shopping bags, including Keells Super)

2. Buy Tea and Coffee from certified companies (e.g. Hansa Coffee) that grow them in forest gardens (analog forestry) instead of mono-crop plantations. Encroachment by small scale tea plantations is a major threat to Sinharaja Rain Forest today.

3. Most of the sea food today is caught by destructive fishing practices, such as bottom crawling, long lining and dynamite fishing. Additionally, most of the fish are high in toxic mercury due to ocean pollution. Avoid sea food at all costs. If your taste buds still crave for sea food, please buy fish that are caught using sustainable methods.

4. Plant native trees and shrubs in your home garden. Most gardens in Colombo and its suburbs are planted with foreign plants that do not help the local wildlife.

5. If you have enough land, plant hardwood trees such as Teak, Mahogany, Jak (Kos), Hora, Kumbuk, Lunumidella, Domba, Halmilla, Nedun, Kaluwara. Most of the timber in Sri Lanka is extracted from home gardens. Lets make sure all hardwood comes from home gardens and preserve our natural forests for future generations. You can make our country green and earn lots of money too.

6. Reuse, Recycle and Compost as much as possible. Think before you reach out to the trash can.

7. Think before you print. Millions of trees are cut down to make paper, disposable items and bathroom tissue. Instead of buying newspaper, read news on the Internet. Instead of printing, try to use electronic documents.

8. Buy food and other items from the local market, and reduce the dependency on foreign items. You will help reduce global carbon emissions for transportation of goods, and there will be less need to build more harbors and airports to transport goods. Harbors and Airports damange the local eco-systems and wildlife such as coral reefs, whales, birds and mangroves and forests cleared to build them.

9. Join and volunteer for a conservation organization of your choice. Following are some examples. Environmental Foundation Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, Green Movement of Sri Lanka

10. Keep the Department of Wild Life Conservation 24 Hour Hotline number (2560380) with you (Add it to your mobile phone or carry it in your wallet). Call the hotline number if you notice any sick or injured animal or illegal activity inside our national parks. This number is connected to the radio rooms of the parks and wardens and thus immediate action can be taken.

11. Educate your family and friends about the need for conservation. For a start, you can direct them to this page. Together we can make Sri Lanka a great nation that co-exists with nature. Lets set an example for the world.

If you have more ideas, please send them over to Support@SriLankaRealEstate.info