Conserving biodiversity
BERI Initiative
At Thema Collection, our utmost priority lies in safeguarding and preserving biodiversity through a comprehensive approach encompassing research, awareness creation, and capacity-building.
Situated in the Asia-Pacific region, Sri Lanka is a small island country in the Indian Ocean, spanning an area of 65,610 km2. Renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, Sri Lanka boasts diverse (micro)climates, topography, and soil types. In fact, it has earned the distinction of being one of the 36 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots, alongside India’s Western Ghats. However, anthropogenic activities, including deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and excessive pesticide use, have posed significant threats to the country’s precious species. Furthermore, the impacts of climate change further exacerbate the challenges faced by these species.
Recognizing the critical importance of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, Thema Collection has spearheaded the Biodiversity Educational Research Initiative (BERI). This initiative aims to protect and preserve the country’s biodiversity through multifaceted approaches. BERI actively supports both local and international students in conducting research to gain insights into the environmental challenges and develop effective strategies to address them.
Through BERI, we strive to foster a deeper understanding of the value of biodiversity among individuals and communities. By raising awareness, we aim to instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment and empower individuals to make sustainable choices. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives provide educational and skill development opportunities to equip aspiring conservationists with the tools and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to biodiversity conservation efforts.
Green Moments in Every Square
Sustainability at Thema Digital Space
This World Tourism Day, as the world explores “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” we found a little way to bring the digital and the natural together. 🌿
At Aliya Resort & Spa, we created an iNaturalist account for the resort and invited our guests to explore the surroundings with us, recording and sharing observations of plants, birds, insects and other wildlife. A simple digital tool, but a lovely way to learn more about the nature that surrounds us.
And beyond the screens, our teams spent the day caring for the places and communities that make travel meaningful. At Wild Glamping Gal Oya, we cleaned around Namal Oya Lake, one of the places our guests love for sunrise, and presented guests with a traditional wooden axe, reflecting the heritage of the Vedda community. Maalu Maalu Resort cleaned and repainted a bus stand in Pasikuda, while Tea & Experience Factory carried out a Shramadana around Pichchamal Falls and put up a reminder for visitors to keep the area clean. At Amba Yaalu Kandalama, girls from the local community joined us for a learning experience around women empowerment, community development and tourism and hospitality.
Different little things, but all part of caring for the places, people and communities that make travel meaningful. 💚
#worldtourismday2026 #sustainabletourism #natureconservation #communitydevelopment #themacollection
Some conversations stay with you a little longer. 🌿
In collaboration with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF), we brought together voices from government, tourism and the wider industry to explore Sustainability and Wellness Tourism: Positioning Sri Lanka for the Future.
Here’s a little more from the day.
#wellnesstourism #srilankatourism #sustainabletourism #themacollection #mdf
For World Ozone Day and Clean Air Day, Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa spent some time with the kids at our REV Computer Centre in Kalkudah, talking about air pollution, the ozone layer, and the simple things we can do to care for our environment.
The session also included the distribution of 18 Kumbuk saplings, giving the children a chance to take what they learnt a little further by planting and caring for a tree of their own.
#worldozoneday #cleanairday #environmentaleducation #themacollection #maulumaaluresort
For World Ozone Day, the naturalists at Amba Yaalu Kandalama held an awareness session at Habarana National School, helping students understand the importance of the ozone layer, its environmental impact, and how young people can play a role in protecting our planet.
#worldozoneday #environmentalawareness #themacollection #ambayaalukandalama
What if you spent your next day chasing waterfalls, trekking through the hills, and stopping whenever the view was too beautiful to pass?
Mandaramnuwara has plenty of little moments waiting along the way. With our naturalists at Tea & Experience Factory, you can set off on a tailored waterfall safari to Athiniwala, Kolapathana and Kalu Palama Waterfalls, with beautiful viewpoints to pause at along the way.
Maybe this is how your next day in Mandaramnuwara should look.
#mandaramnuwara #waterfallsafari #exploresrilanka #themacollection #teaandexperiencefactory
You could keep wondering what it’s like. Or you could just come!
The Gal Oya boat safari is one of those experiences that’s genuinely hard to put into words. Swimming elephants in the water, an island with hundreds of birds, and stories from our naturalists that make the whole place click into place. Come see it for yourself with our naturalists at Wild Glamping Gal Oya.
📸: @udara_b_nawarathna
#galoyaboatsafari #senanayakereservoir #srilankawildlife #wildglampinggaloya #wildlifesrilanka
Looking back at an afternoon of conversations on sustainability and wellness tourism in Sri Lanka.
Thema Collection, together with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) brought representatives from government, the tourism industry and development partners for “Sustainability and Wellness Tourism: Positioning Sri Lanka for the Future.”
The afternoon included perspectives from Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Deputy High Commissioner Ruth Baird, and industry representatives, followed by a panel discussion on “Unlocking Wellness Tourism Opportunities in Sri Lanka.”
Here’s a glimpse of the conversations and moments from the day!
#wellnesstourism #srilankatourism #sustainabletourism #themacollection #mdf
The Minneriya Elephant Gathering is coming to an end for another year, leaving behind a collection of moments!
This year, our naturalists had the privilege of observing elephants as they gathered, fed, rested and interacted with one another. It is during occasions like this that so much of their behaviour comes to life: the bond between mothers and calves, playful moments among the young, social interactions within herds, and the quiet ways elephants communicate with one another.
And while the Gathering may be over, the wilderness around Minneriya continues to offer incredible encounters. If you are staying at Aliya Resort, Ayurvie Sigiriya and Amba Yaalu Kandalama by Thema Collection can explore the region through safari experiences in Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu Eco Park, each offering a different window into Sri Lanka’s dry-zone wildlife.
Because every safari has a story to tell.
📸: @achintha92
#elephantgathering #srilankawildlife #srilankasafari #minneriya #themacollection
