Establishment of a nursery to continuously supply the mangrove plants for replanting programmes . The mangrove nursery was established on the periphery of the wetland on which around 5000 seedlings would be managed at a time. The seedlings were collected from the remaining mangrove vegetation and kept in the nursery for nine months before they were planted on the denuded mangroves areas. Mangrove species such as ?Rhizophora apiculata? and ?Rhizophora mucronata? which are best suited to the soil and saline conditions were only collected and nurtured in the nursery.

Planting of mangrove commenced on the denuded land such as the edges of the Chilaw river, the estuary and either side of the bank of the reservation of the marshy land where the fringing vegetation was once thriving; on expert advice from professional volunteers and specialists. Under their technical guidance land identification, marking of plots, numbering and record keeping of the growth of plants was closely and carefully monitored. Prior to planting, the baseline situation was documented through photographs. Managing the nursery was largely with the involvement of women drawn from the fisher families who were paid an allowance from the project. Initially nine women were drawn as nursery attendants under the supervision of two extension workers.

Awareness creation provided initial awareness to fisher families, school children and local community members. Nine hundred (900) people attended 15 one day awareness programmes conducted by the project. Members of the Provincial Council, the divisional office of the Forest Department, the District Secretariat officials, the Judges and those involved in the legal profession and other government officials in the provincial administration were also targeted because of their ability to influence others on conservation related management issues.

Awareness raising of school children to enhance knowledge on the mangroves eco systems was a primary objective. The students were taken to the mangrove site and given educational materials and lectures using live samples. This process eventually transformed to that of a educational work camp. Eight of such work camps were completed during the project period with the participation of 160 students. An essay competition was held eventually among the divisional schools and the winners were given certificates. Printing of awareness materials, publication of booklet on mangroves, holding of educational work camps and conducting of essay competitions for school children were integral part of the project