The University of Hull has launched a new two-year project aimed at supporting wetland management in Sri Lanka through international collaboration.
The partnership began on Monday after Professor Stewart Mottram, a literature and environment specialist at the university, was approached by the International Water Management Institute in Colombo. The initiative is linked to the university’s research on water systems and climate adaptation.
Professor Mottram said the collaboration stems from ongoing research into how communities adapt to water-related challenges. He noted that lessons learned from the project could help improve flood resilience and climate adaptation in wetland cities globally, including in the Humber region of the United Kingdom.
The university highlighted that Colombo’s wetlands are of global importance for biodiversity, but are increasingly under pressure due to rapid urban development, pollution, and climate change impacts.
Researchers, including Professor Briony McDonagh, will work closely with wetland communities in Colombo’s Kotte District. Academics from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka will also contribute by exploring how cultural heritage, memory, and storytelling can support better wetland management.
Funded by The British Academy, the project aims to promote inclusive, community-led approaches to protecting wetland ecosystems. Professor Mottram said the approach developed in the Humber region could be adapted to different cultural contexts while addressing the shared challenge of living with water in flood-prone areas.
