The 26th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, organized by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura was held virtually on the 20th and 21st of January 2022 under the theme of “Developments in Forestry and Environmental Science in 2021”. Being the oldest Forestry and Environment Symposium in South Asia, 26th International Forestry and Environment too was held with the participation of skilled academia, researchers, professionals, and policymakers who were keen on exploring the contemporary developments in the field of Forestry and Environment. The inauguration ceremony of the symposium was held at the university premises on the 20th of January with the distinguished grace of the Chief Guest – Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, the Guest of Honour – Her Excellency Mrs. Tanja Gonggrijp, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Prof. Laleen Karunanayake – Former Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Upul Subasinghe – Symposium Chair, Former Head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dr. G.G.T. Chandrathilake – Symposium Coordinator, and respected guests. The keynote for the symposium was delivered by Prof. Delphis F. Levia, Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, USA.
The symposium comprised 11 key research areas namely, Forest and Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Waste Management and Pollution Control, Environmental Economics and Resource Management, Climate Change and Disaster Management, Biomass and Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Land Use and Urban development, Wood Science and Wood-Based Industries, Environmental Engineering and Green Technology, Geology, Soil and Water Resource Management.
Complimentary to the prestigious historical journey, this year’s symposium formulated the opportunity for around 138 competent researchers to showcase their research findings. The entire proceeding was evaluated and assessed by a team of accomplished personnel from different universities, industries, and institutions. The “Best Presenter” was analyzed from each session and was appraised while all the researchers were accredited for their aspiring effort toward the development of the Forestry and Environment sector which marked the end of the 26th International Forestry and Environment Symposium.
