Sri Lanka's unique Earth Lung is future of sustainable tourism

Sri Lanka will be playing a key role in World Responsible Tourism Day on Wednesday 12 November, AT WTM, speaking at the minister's summit.

Protecting the future of the wonderful diversity of plants and animals on the island and in the surrounding waters through responsible tourism and development is an important strategy for the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau and in October 2007 they launched the Earth Lung project for a Carbon Clean Sri Lanka.

Through the project Sri Lanka is working towards being carbon clean by 2018 and the Earth Lung initiative has been recognised by UNWTO and PATA as having the potential to become a global initiative for tourism destinations.

The Island of Sri Lanka boasts fantastic beaches, wonderful wildlife, excellent watersports and an unspoilt interior. Home to one of the highest densities of leopards worldwide, the island is rich in wildlife across its 13 national parks and 100 protected areas. As well as the leopards, elephants and 250 species of bird, a wonderful variety of plant life is evident with 74 varieties of Orchid unique to the Island.

For more information on Sri Lanka log on to srilankatourism.org.