Understanding Why Conservation Matters for Sri Lanka – Part 2

Photo courtesy of UNDP Forests play a crucial role far beyond simply absorbing water. For generations, people viewed them as sponges but we now understand they are sophisticated water management systems. Forests support plant growth, regulate climate, prevent soil erosion, cool the atmosphere, recycle moisture, replenish groundwater and supply water to entire ecosystems. Yet despite recognising these benefits, global freshwater demand continues to rise. It is worsened by frequent droughts. This fragile situation grows even more perilous as water has increasingly become a commodity, treated as an economic asset rather than a fundamental human right. This shift prioritises profit over…

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