Why an ecotourism project in Sri Lanka? Because natural ecosystems have significantly decreased, leading to biodiversity loss, human-caused pollution has reached unimaginable levels, and global warming has become humanity’s greatest challenge. We have a duty to protect our unique natural wealth for future generations.
“Family” projects are suitable for children from the age of 4. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on your children’s ages, the destination, and the type of mission.
This project is eligible for the 10th grade internship.
Volunteers participate in a series of initiatives that will have a lasting impact on the island’s natural ecosystems: mangroves, marine environment, depollution, recycling, and permaculture.
Mangrove ecosystems are vitally important for maintaining marine environments. They protect coastlines, regulate water quality, control flooding, provide breeding grounds for marine species, help increase biodiversity, support the livelihoods of rural communities, and combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide at a rate 3 to 5 times higher than most forests. Protecting, preserving, and increasing their numbers is a priority.
This part of the project takes place in the Koggala Lagoon, a significant body of water in the Galle district, dotted with eight small ecologically rich islands. Volunteers will play a key role in the restoration process of the mangrove habitat through planting new seeds in the nursery, nurturing young mangrove plants, and transferring them to their natural habitat.
Recycling is still in its early stages in Sri Lanka, although the concept is gradually gaining traction as the local population better understands its environmental benefits. Plastic pollution, in particular, is becoming a major issue. This part of the project involves organizing information sessions for local communities, schools, and businesses to highlight plastic pollution and the importance of recycling to combat this issue. These sessions will be led by our team, who will also help prepare presentation materials and translate content for the local community.
Building EcoBricks: EcoBricks are a simple solution to plastic pollution that require no machines, technical skills, or funding. They are single-use plastic bottles cleaned and packed with other plastic waste to be reused as building blocks. This extends the life of single-use plastic bottles and keeps them out of landfills. EcoBricks are strong and non-degradable, making them an ideal construction material. In a developing country like Sri Lanka, they are used to build walls, furniture, and even rural buildings. Volunteers will dedicate part of their time to building EcoBricks, which will be used to construct the walls of our organic garden and outdoor furniture. We also intend to donate large quantities of EcoBricks we produce to neighboring communities so they can benefit as well.
Organic farming practices reduce pollution, conserve water, increase biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and use less energy. Using organic fertilizers (compost, green manure, etc.) instead of synthetic pesticides is far better for the natural ecosystem and ensures crop sustainability. This produces fresh, healthy food and reduces intermediaries. Volunteers will spend part of their time in our organic garden helping to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. Typical tasks in the ecotourism project in Sri Lanka will include planting new seeds, maintaining the nursery, making organic compost, monitoring crop growth, building organic fences, and performing other maintenance tasks as needed.
Coral reef restoration: this is the second ecological product we are building as part of this project. Coral reefs are often referred to as the rainforests of the ocean because of the large number of species they harbor and the high productivity they generate. Besides hundreds of coral species, reefs support extraordinary biodiversity and a multitude of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. Unfortunately, as everywhere else, coral reefs in Sri Lanka have declined due to the adverse effects of climate change and human activity.
This part of the project involves building artificial coral reefs using sustainable and eco-friendly materials to mimic the effects of natural reefs. These are then placed in shallow ocean areas where natural reefs once thrived. Over time, research has shown that these artificial reefs can provide a stable habitat for fish and all the plant and animal organisms found in a natural reef, helping to largely restore this lost marine ecosystem.
a) Beach Cleanups: Sri Lanka is home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches, surrounded by the warm, ecologically rich waters of the Indian Ocean. Beyond their meditative natural beauty, beaches are environmental treasures—they preserve our coastal and oceanic ecosystems, provide nesting sites for turtles and other species, offer vital feeding grounds for birds and terrestrial wildlife, mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, protect against storms, and more. Unfortunately, in recent years, increasing pollution—especially plastic pollution—has made beaches more unsanitary in Sri Lanka and worldwide.
Volunteers dedicate part of their time to cleaning beaches in groups, carefully separating plastic, glass, and organic waste, which is then handed over to local authorities for disposal or recycling. This project takes place on various beaches around the Galle and Unawatuna areas, increasing its reach and impact.
b) River Cleanups: As a tropical island, water cleanliness is just as important to Sri Lanka’s ecosystem as the cleanliness of the island itself. The Gin Ganga River is a major 116-km-long waterway that originates in the untouched Sinharaja rainforest, flows through several villages towards Galle, and ends in the Indian Ocean. Keeping the river clean is essential for local communities, surrounding flora and fauna, and ultimately the ocean. This part of the project involves volunteers canoeing (2 per canoe) to clean small river tributaries of plastic waste that threatens the ecosystem. Life jackets, canoes, paddles, nets, and garbage bags are provided. This mission requires teamwork and a sense of adventure, all within a beautiful rural natural setting surrounded by rice fields.
The frequency of activities during a given week or month will depend on local conditions at that time (e.g., river cleanups are not possible during the heavy monsoon due to flooding or high tides). It will also depend on the needs/priorities of various partner organizations at different times of the year.
In general, however, volunteers can expect to participate in the majority of these activities during their stay, if not all of them. We also expect this ecotourism project in Sri Lanka to evolve over time with the introduction of new initiatives to expand the scope of our environmental conservation efforts in the community.
In addition to your project, those who wish may opt for a one-week tour to explore the best of Sri Lanka’s beauty and diversity. From Galle to Sigiriya via Kandy and Ella, you will discover the southern, central, and western regions of this beautiful tropical island.
Please contact us for departure dates.
Tour price: 810 euros.
Duration during the week | Budget total mission |
|---|---|
2 weeks | 1190 € |
3 weeks | 1440 € |
4 weeks | 1690 € |
5 weeks | 1940 € |
6 weeks | 2190 € |
7 weeks | 2440 € |
8 weeks | 2690 € |
9 weeks | 2940 € |
10 weeks | 3190 € |
11 weeks | 3440 € |
12 weeks | 3690 € |
A supplement of €200 applies to participants aged under 18. For more information, meet on the youth area.
Located on a quiet hillside in the Unawatuna area (15 minutes drive from the centre of Galle), the volunteer house offers a breathtaking view of the beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. With a maximum capacity of 48 people, the volunteers are spread over three floors in 11 multiple rooms for 4 to 6 people, with an in-room bathroom and ocean view. For couples and families, or those requiring privacy, single, double and family rooms are available at an additional cost. In case of high demand, it is possible that the house displays complete. In this case, you will stay in the Guesthouse located less than 100m from the house. You will continue to eat all your meals in the main volunteer house and have full access to all its facilities.
Since this project involves a significant amount of field work in a tropical climate, we recommend participants to wear casual, light and comfortable clothing that suits the type of activities listed above.
Clothing should be comfortable yet conservative – no excessive skin should be shown as locals tend to be on the conservative side being a majority Buddhist country.
Quick-dry material (or wet suit) is recommended (but not mandatory) when in close contact with water (e.g., river cleaning on canoes). Footwear can be comfortable sneakers or sandals/flipflops. Sunscreen recommended since a lot of the work is outside. Light rain jacket recommended during the wet season (June-November).
– From 16 years old or minors accompanied by an adult.
– Intermediate level of English (understand instructions, able to communicate).
– Copy of passport.
