The Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) of Sri Lanka

The TCP was established in 1993 and in March 1995 it was registered as an Independent Sri Lankan non-governmental organisation (NGO) with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). TCP aims to devise and facilitate the implementation of sustainable marine turtle conservation strategies through education research and community participation. TCP operates according to an approved constitution and is currently coordinated by a committee of 7 residents of Sri Lanka. A Marine Turtle Specialist who is a member of the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialists Group (MTSG) and also a trainee of the Duke Marine Lab of the Duke University North Carolina USA currently leads the organisation of TCP. In total TCP employs 6 full time staff in Tangalle head-office and both in the Kosgoda and Panadura offices. TCP maintains field offices in Rekawa Kosgoda Panadura and Kandakkuliya in order to coordinate the maintenance of the initiated activities.

As an Independent Sri Lankan non-governmental organization (NGO) TCP aims to assist government departments academic institutions and other NGO's in devising and facilitating the implementation of sustainable marine turtle conservation strategies. TCP intends to achieve this via education research and local participation towards communities who are close to important marine turtle habitats.

TCP's vision focuses upon "Sustainable level for sea turtle populations in Sri Lanka" while their mission is to "conduct research surveys education & awareness programmes community based conservation and management programmes to achieve the sustainable level of sea turtle populations in Sri Lanka".

Since 1993 TCP has designed and implemented many community based conservation activities such as an In-situ marine turtle nest protection and research programme in Rekawa and Kosgoda Community environmental education training programme in Rekawa National Marine Turtle Conservation school lecture programmes School teachers training workshops on sea turtle conservation and education Mangrove rehabilitation programmes in Puttlam and Rekawa National school art & essay competitions Nature guide training programme in Rekawa and Kosgoda for the locals who dependent on sea turtle egg poaching establishment of a Nature trail in Rekawa as an alternative income for the locals Model medicinal garden in Rekawa and Panadura Free herbal drink programme for Rekawa school children Community libraries in Rekawa and Kandakkuliya Community primary school programmes in Rekawa Panadura Kosgoda Bundala and in Kandakkuliya Free English Language teaching programmes in Rekawa Bundala and Panadura Rural medical clinic in Rekawa Environmental film show programmes for fishermen Education and Awareness programmes for fishermen and general public Beach cleaning programmes Beach Garbage collection Tank programme in Kandakkuliya marine turtle by-catch survey turtle rescue programme in Kandakkuliya Turtle nesting beach surveys Illegal tortoiseshell trade survey Turtle hatchery surveys etc. TCP provides the opportunities for foreign nationals to gain experience in community based conservation by becoming a volunteer of the TCP. If you're interested please contact TCP at turtle@sltnet.lk e-mail address.

TCP also publishes many publications reports leaflets booklets posters and a quarterly news bulletin called "Turtle News". It has in its possession a decorated collection of slides and video footage collected throughout the years. It also maintains its Web site www.search.lk/turtle as a source of information for the local & international community.

In 1998 TCP won the "Highly Commended" British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award for the Southern region for its community based "turtle watches" nature tourism programme.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum Oakland Zoo Cleveland Metropark Zoo UNDP/GEF/SGP-Sri Lanka British Airways CORDIO currently fund TCP's community based programmes.