Dr Ananda Mallawatantri discussed Nature-Based Solutions for Water, with an overview of the global water challenges while highlighting this year’s world water day theme as one of the most appropriate one for Sri Lanka context. The presentation was based on the importance of understanding the water cycle to manage water availability, quality and water-related risks, including the increasing frequency of climate (water) related disasters.

With regard to the use of nature solutions, Dr Mallawatantri explained how Sri Lanka landscape influence the type of vegetation in different climatic zones and elevation, rainfall or cloud capturing in central hills and how water flow into and on the surface all the way to the ocean. In between he said, man-made structures and modified surfaces decide the fate of rain water. According to Dr. Mallawatantri, more we can harvest rainwater in soil we will reduce environment degradation, water pollution while meeting challenges of droughts, floods and landslides. Nature based solutions helps us to improve the surfaces and plant types in a way we absorb rain into soil and aquifers.

The better we manage the ecosystems in Sri Lanka, primarily by managing forests, landscapes and surfaces we can improve ecosystem services related to water. Nature-based solutions also involve appreciating the nature and changing the way we live.

The presentation was concluded with the take-home message “Ensuring the quality and quantity of water is everyone's business and working together may leads to a win-win situation and will reduce costs and leave a better place for the future generation.” The seminar was attended by about 90 associate level staff and managers of the hotel. Hotel rewarded the staff who answered questions based on the presentation demonstrating their level of attention.