ZeroPlastic Kelaniya Launches Project River Guard Cleanup at Beddagana Wetland Park

The ZeroPlastic Movement of the University of Kelaniya carried out Project River Guard Phase 01, a research-based environmental cleanup initiative, at Beddagana Wetland Park in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The project combined hands-on waste removal with structured waste identification efforts to address pollution within the wetland environment.

The initiative was organized to promote responsible waste management and reduce the accumulation of waste affecting the wetland ecosystem. Beyond the immediate cleanup, the project aimed to study waste pollution patterns at the site, providing a research-based foundation for understanding the types and sources of waste found in the area.

During the project, ZeroPlastic volunteers collected and separated waste materials across sections of Beddagana Wetland Park. The cleanup activities were paired with waste identification work, allowing participants to categorize the collected waste and contribute to a clearer picture of the pollution affecting the wetland. This approach connected practical environmental action with an analytical component, giving volunteers direct involvement in both the physical cleanup and the research process.

Participants engaged in the various stages of the initiative, from waste collection and sorting to observing the condition of the wetland environment firsthand. The activity provided an opportunity for university volunteers to apply environmental awareness in a meaningful, hands-on setting, moving beyond awareness alone into direct action at a recognized ecological site.

The project underscored the importance of protecting wetland ecosystems and preserving the biodiversity they support. Beddagana Wetland Park serves as a significant ecological area, and efforts to address waste pollution at the site contribute to maintaining its environmental value. By incorporating research-based waste identification into the cleanup, the initiative also worked toward building practical knowledge that could in…