The workshop on ‘Empowering youth for conservation’ for the undergraduate students and staff of the Faculty of Science was conducted on 06th April 2022 from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm at the B1 Lecture Hall, Natural Science Block, Faculty of Science in collaboration with Zoological Students Association of the Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna and Department of Wildlife conservation of Sri Lanka. The workshop was financially supported by the AHEAD ELTA ELSE Faculty DP of the Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna. The Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah graced the event as Chief Guest. A group of eminent conservationist of national and international repute has served voluntarily as resource persons in this workshop. This interesting workshop was well attended by 127 participants which include undergraduate students (56), school students (33), school teachers, demonstrators, assistant lecturers, senior lecturers and professors, officials from Central Environmental Authority, Forestry Department, Wildlife photographers, Technical officers, Senior Lecturers, and Professors. The topics covered by resource persons are as follows:
- Mr. Marasinge (Director Operations at the Department of Wildlife Conservation) : Conservation mandate of the Department of Wildlife Conservation’.
- Prof. Sampath Senevirathne (Research Scientist & Professor in Zoology, University of Colombo): Migratory Birds & Important breeding grounds in North & Conservation.
- Mr. Dilum Alagiyawanna (Director/ Producer, Wildlife Documentary Filmmaker, Nature Photographer): Award winning documentary film ‘The great elephant gathering of Asia’ on Minneriya Elephant Gathering.
- Mr. Chaminda Jayasekara (Resident Naturealist at Jetwing Vil Uyana: An inspirational story “Slender Loris Conservation project’.
- Dr. S. Wijeyamohan (Research Scientist & Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, University of Vavuniya): Sri Lankan Elephant, Habitat, behaviour & great elephant gathering.
- Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya (Research Scientist, Former Director General-Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka): Human-Elephant Conflict & mitigation challenges.
- Dr. Mrs. Abyerami Sivaruban (Senior Lecturer & Head, Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna): Reptiles & Amphibians and their conservation in Jaffna Peninsula.
- Mr. Riznar Hussain (Naturalist/ Nature Photographer): Inspiring story: How to become a wildlife photographer cum conservationist.