University of Hull Leads UK–Sri Lanka Initiative to Strengthen Wetland Management
Colombo, The Gulf Observer: The University of Hull has launched a new international project aimed at supporting sustainable wetland management in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with local and global partners.
The two-year initiative began this week after Professor Stewart Mottram, a specialist in literature and environment at the university, was approached by the International Water Management Institute. The partnership builds on Hull’s research expertise in water systems and climate adaptation.
Professor Mottram said the project seeks to translate lessons learned in the UK to a global context. “The lessons we learn can inform flood resilience and climate adaptation in wetland cities around the world, including here in the Humber,” he noted.
The study will focus on Colombo’s Kotte District, an area home to wetlands considered globally significant for biodiversity. However, these ecosystems are increasingly under pressure due to rapid urban development, pollution, and climate-related challenges.
Working alongside co-investigator Professor Briony McDonagh, the Hull team will collaborate with local communities to explore how cultural heritage, memory, and storytelling can contribute to improved wetland management practices. Researchers from the University of Kelaniya will also support the initiative.
The project is funded by The British Academy, with a focus on fostering inclusive, community-led approaches.
“We hope that this work will support inclusive, community-led approaches to wetland management in Colombo,” Mottram said, adding that methods previously developed in the Humber region could be adapted to different cultural settings while addressing the shared challenge of living with water in flood-prone environments.
The collaboration highlights the growing importance of international partnerships in tackling environmental challenges and advancing climate resilience strategies worldwide.
