Cascading towards a greener future | Sunday Observer

Cascading towards a greener future

9 July, 2023

The environment is degrading, the wildlife is striving to hold onto its breath. It is time we, conservationists, voice for the betterment and protection of our environment and wildlife.

“Cascading towards a greener future” is a debate competition organised by the Young Zoologists’ Association (YZA) of Sri Lanka to create a platform to the members who are enthusiastic to present their opinions and standpoints in a rather competitive way. The event was held at the Diyasaru Wetland Park on June 10, 2023 from 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The event was live casted on the official Facebook page of the Young Zoologists’ Association.

The Diyasaru Wetland Park was an adequate choice. What is a more suitable place to host an event for the betterment of the environment than a nature-friendly location? Young Zoologists’ Associatio President Ishanda Senevirathna addressed all the participants and invitees and emphasized the aim of hosting the event. It was mentioned in his speech that a debate competition was organised several years back as well during the early years of the Association and he is privileged to be hosting it again encouraging his fellow members to showcase their talents.

There were four teams competing altogether with four members in each team. The team members had given themselves iconic team names to distinguish themselves throughout the debate competition. The team names were: Falcons, Sayurusara, Deciders and Ecologics. Three veteran environmentalists were present as judges: Gamini Basthians (Attorney-at-law), Ananda Lal Nannayakkara (Attorney-at-law), Thilina Deegoda Gamage (past President of the YZA). These judges are known to have a close bond with the Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka.

The debate competition composed of two rounds. Round one comprised two teams each competing with one another. The first two teams were given the debate topic “Sri Lanka’s actions to reduce marine pollution can be justified/cannot be justified”.

The next two teams competed under the debate topic “Banning plastics is a necessary measure for environmental conservation/is not a necessary measure for environmental conservation”. All the debaters presented their standpoints and counter arguments. After a spirited round one debate between the four teams, two teams were qualified to the final round of the competition.

According to judges, this selection was based on specific criteria, including the presentation skills of the debaters, interaction with the audience and opposing team with expressions, accuracy of the presented data, depth of research done and management of time.

The debate topics for the Round 2 were, “Micro-plastics are/ are not the main challenge for the protection of marine biodiversity.” The two teams elaborated their standpoints by gathering as much as data possible within the allocated time. The members, as young conservationists, validated their topic. They justified on the use of microplastics, its pros and cons. When one teams pointed out the harm to wildlife from micro-plastics and side effects of its extensive use, the other team obliged it by mentioning on other threats faced by the marine biodiversity. As in the previous round, the judges, after thorough consideration declared team“ Ecologics” as the winner of the competition and team“ Sayurusara ” as the runner-up.

There were two participants, Dimandi Damsini and Arawindya Edirisighe, who were awarded as the “Best Debater” as an appreciation to their skills in debating. Certificates were awarded to all the participants, as an encouragement and appreciation to their talent and provoke them to voice on behalf of environment conservation. 

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