Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Dipterocarp tropic rainforests in southwestern Sri Lanka have similar tree species to those found in the rainforests of Brunei Darussalam.

This was revealed in a recent lecture on biodiversity at University Brunei Darussalam, organized by Professor Savitri Gunatilleke, a visiting professor from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Professor Gunatilleke said planting native trees and medicinal plants in plantations is one of the methods of reforestation that has been supported by villagers affected by environmental meltdown.

He said Brunei could employ a similar method in converting non-native acacia forests.

Another presentation, entitled "Brunei Nature Society", was delivered by Professor Nimal

Gunatilleke also from the University of Peradeniya.

He said many unique animals and plants can be found in Sri Lanka, but its biodiversity is being threatened by habitat fragmentation.

He stressed on the need to put a value on free services provided by native forests, such as fresh water, flood prevention, erosion control, clean air, carbon sequestration, and forest produce, while highlighting a recent evaluation that revealed Sri Lanka's small forest reserve can provide free services worth over US$100 million each year. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin