Rotaract Club APIIT and CCS team up for coconut conservation
COLOMBO – The Rotaract Club of APIIT, in collaboration with the College of Chemical Sciences (CCS), recently launched an impactful environmental initiative titled ‘The Great Coconut Conservation’ aimed at understanding and contributing to protecting coconut plantations against the growing threat of insect-borne diseases.
As a first step, the initiative, coming under the club’s Environmental Services Avenue, saw a group of 15 enthusiastic Rotaractors visiting the Lunuwila Coconut Research Centre, Sri Lanka’s premier institution for coconut-related research. The group received a comprehensive overview of the Centre’s work in identifying, preventing, and managing pest infestations that threaten coconut trees across the island.

Experts at the Centre conducted interactive sessions explaining key diseases and demonstrated the scientific methods being used to mitigate damage. The team also toured the Lunuwila Coconut Museum, gaining insights into the cultural and economic significance of coconuts in Sri Lanka’s history.

Translating learning into action, the final phase of the project involved a field visit to a residence where a coconut tree had shown signs of distress. After documenting the case and consulting with the Lunuwila Research Centre for expert advice, the team applied Neem-based treatment around the base of the tree – an eco-friendly natural remedy known to deter common coconut pests and control damage.
The Great Coconut Conservation project not only served as a successful initiative providing a hands-on learning experience for the group but also contributed directly to community-level environmental protection.
-ENCL
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