Breathing life back into Bellanwila: WNPS and Abans unite with DWC to restore urban wetland sanctuary

THE Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), in partnership with Abans PLC and under the guidance of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), is further restoring one of Colombo's most vital ecological sites, the Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary, through a flagship conservation initiative known as the Green Isle Project which focuses on an important island section within the sanctuary.

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The initiative was commenced in 2019, and Abans PLC renewed their support for five more years through to 2030 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WNPS and Abans PLC on 31 May 2025.

Spread across 372 hectares, the Bellanwila-Attidiya wetland, which was gazetted in 1990 is home to over 150 bird species (including rare migratory visitors), endemic reptiles, mammals like the Otter and Rusty-spotted Cat, and the endangered Purple-faced Leaf Monkey. This key wetland sanctuary adjacent to Colombo (being the only wetland Capital City in the world), is protected with the status of "Sanctuary" under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance (FFPO) of Sri Lanka. Years of invasive species persisting, and unmanaged pollution had reduced the sanctuary's ecological integrity, which prompted the need for urgent restoration.

The Green Isle Project is focused on reversing this degradation through scientific habitat restoration, habitat enrichment, public awareness, and long-term ecological monitoring on the 40 acre island. These efforts are now managed by the WNPS PLANT (Preserving Land and Nature) subcommittee which has years of experience in preserving large areas of lands with sensitive eco systems around Sri Lanka, and are engaged in developing over 20 kilometres of Forest corridors across sensitive landscapes.