Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka

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Wildlife of Sri Lanka
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Organizations Authorities Department of Forest Conservation Department of Wildlife Conservation Civil societies Field Ornithology Group
Related topics Deforestation Ecoregions Tourism

Identifying and proposing Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka is one of the main activities of the group.[2] This project has now entered its second phase, conducting studies to evaluate the biodiversity of proposed 70 IBAs.[2] Conducting research on some selected endemic birds, the Sri Lanka blue magpie and spot-winged thrush, is another activity of the group. Following the events of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, FOGSL provided some direct humanitarian assistance.[3] The group helped in wetland restoration, rebuilding schools, and coastal land-use planning. National bird ringing programmes conducted in Bundala National Park concentrate on studies on migratory birds and the wetlands.[4] The Field Ornithology Group intends to extend the research to other sites on the migration route and to develop a web database.

From 2008, Field Ornithology Group conducts a bird count in December in the lines of Christmas Bird Count by the National Audubon Society of the United States.[5] Sri Lanka's location at the tip of the Indian subcontinent has made the island a termination point in the North-South bird migratory route.[6] Organizing a bird education exhibition to promote awareness among general public is one of the annual programmes of the group. This commemorates the late P. B. Karunathna, who was a leading naturalist in the country and one of the founding members of the society.

In 2020 numerous hotels and resorts and travel agencies adopted FOGSL "Bird Friendly Concept". This programme started in 1997. Project mainly focus foreign tourist.[7]

The small grants programme of the United Nations Development Programme granted the Field Ornithology Group US$20,308.00 for printing of selected publications and other activities.[10] As part of their educational programmes, Field Ornithology Group has published many books and posters, not only on birds, but also mammals and wetlands.[11] The FOGSL also publish two periodicals, Kedetta in Sinhala and Malkoha in English.