.: Youth Training on the importance of Rathgama Lagoon

The first training for the youth attached to the ‘Youth Movement for Social Change’ –Galle (NAFSO) was held at the Sothern Province, Fisheries Center, and Galle on the 3rd July 2020. The theme of the training was the ‘Importance and the protection of Rathgama Laggon-Galle’.

Youth members who participated for the session, was able to understand the importance of the lagoon and the surrounding wetlands. The training session was conducted by Mr.Dulip Rangajeewa, District Coordinator, and Galle. He further stated the value of the youth being involved in protecting the lagoon as coastal lagoons are highly productive ecosystems.

ABOUT NAFSO

NAFSO (National Fisheries Solidarity Movement), organizes fishermen to lobby the government to defend their rights and to bring about good environmental practice in coastal areas. ...NAFSO has helped a fishing community to take legal action against a proposal to build a five-star hotel on a mangrove where fish spawn."We are not against hotels, because they bring tourism and income. But 3,000 families and 15,000 fishermen use this lagoon and all of them could be affected by the developments. Only 200 would be employed by the hotel. The lagoon is our mother, and we must protect her." Jude Preman Fernando, local fisherman. At the present situation we are continuing our campaign with small scale fishermen to urge the government to take legal action against Destructive Fishing Practices around the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. View my complete profile

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Youth Training on the importance of Rathgama Lagoon