The beaches and mangroves of Rekawa, Sri Lanka, are a hotspot for sea turtles, which have been protected over the last 20 years thanks to the efforts of Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) to educate the local community and provide income through conservation and ecotourism. However, significant threats still exist in the form of sea turtle harvesting, turtle egg gathering, mining of corals and sand, mining shells from the lagoon, and cutting mangroves. Lack of education on marine and coastal resources, lack of law enforcement, lack of community participation in conservation and management of coastal resources have been contributory factors to the destruction of coastal ecosystems.

TCP, through its education programmes and ecotourism benefits, is a model for community conservation. Egg poachers are now tour guides and nest protectors, but without tourism income this project is facing serious shortfalls in funding for continued operation.

The project proposes to support beach rangers while the pandemic continues, meanwhile developing sustainable organic farms in 15 households to reduce income stress in the community. The community center which serves as the ecotourism hub will be improved and a website developed, to improve marketability for domestic tourism. Importantly, education is a major aspect of the project?s implementation. Booklets and educational materials will be dispersed through the community, targeting young people. This will foster conservation minded activities for the future and increase awareness of the potential for ecotourism and the benefits of conservation.