Education and Awareness

Using education as a tool to foster community understanding of the necessity for coexistence between man and nature in order to reduce conflict levels that occur between man and beast. It demonstrated income earning methods by sustainably utilising nature rather than by exploiting it. We hope this will generate a greater understanding of the importance of biodiversity conservation and foster greater respect for it.

Progress

Establishing an Information Centre

The Information Centre at the ETH is designed to create awareness and understanding of elephants and their plight. The Centre houses a large collection of information on elephants, from their origins and evolution to their social behavior and threats. The audio-visual room at the information centre houses a collection of photographs and illustrations offering detailed explanations of the habitats, lifestyles, and anatomy and maps showcasing the distribution of Sri Lankan elephants across the island. Short documentaries on the Udawalawe National Park and the ETH are also shown at the Centre. Dilmah has set up an Art Room at the premises, for children to engage in arts and crafts. Here, they are encouraged to put onto paper or mould with clay information gathered during the educational experience.

Social Media as Education Tools

Dilmah Conservation maintains an Instagram and Twitter account for Baby Dilmah, to help spread education on elephants and awareness on environmental issues.

Educating Adjacent Communities

Using suitable tools and resources to educate adjacent communities of the need to be eco-friendly, whilst simultaneously working to strengthen their socio-economic standards.

Publishing a Book on the Udawalawe National Park

Dilmah Conservation published a book on the Udawalawe National Park that provides an extensive overview of the park species habitats titled ‘A Pictorial Guide to Uda Walawe National Park’. A small booklet also made based on the information available to visitors of the ETH.

Educating Adjacent Communities

Using suitable tools and resources to educate adjacent communities of the need to be eco-friendly, whilst simultaneously working to strengthen their socio-economic standards.

Hosted a Podcast - What makes an Elephant?

In commemoration of World Elephant Day 2020 Dilmah Conservation hosted a podcast as tribute to the enchanting elephants. Podcasts are a dynamic medium to deliver information and inspire audiences. Dr. Jayantha Wattavidanage and Dr. Enoka Kudavidanage, two of Sri Lanka's leading conservation biologists joined in on the conversation to share stories from the wild, reminisce and share fascinating facts on what makes this gentle giant a true Flagship species.

An Elephant Crossword

Baby Dilmah’s 4th birthday was celebrated with an online crossword competition that aimed at educating participants on elephants and their fascinating behaviour. Try out the crossword here.