Raising awareness on Elephant Conflict, Plastic Pollution and Climate Emergency.
On Sunday, 10th August 2025 the Children of Athwela Nirmana Kavaya together with students from 10 local schools will participate in the “Elephant Free Elephant Walk”, beginning at Ibbagamuwa Central College at 3pm.
This unique event is creative, community driven action to raise awareness on the climate emergency.
The elephant symbolizes the need for humans to return to life that is in balance with our natural eco-system. The event honors the majestic elephant, a species deeply affected by human activity, including habitat destruction, by constructing elephants out of waste, and bio-degradable material. 10 local schools have been invited to participate in an awareness raising competition with performances that will make up the Elephant Free Elephant Walk. Dance troupes from local schools will perform elephant dances, and school drama teams will perform street theatre focusing on the climate emergency and how schools and communities must respond. There will also elephant giant puppets, students in elephant masks carrying banners on the need to respond to the climate emergency.
The prize money from the competition will help the 6 winning schools to begin addressing issues related to waste segregation and management in this inaugural year.
The Elephant Free Elephant Walk will offer a creative alternative to the inclusion of elephants in our cultural celebrations, and in addition to schools will include representation from local government, law enforcement, and local businesses. The Elephant Free Elephant Walk seeks to build local partnerships required for focused action all year round.
Organized by the Athwela Partnership – The Grassrooted Trust, Devasarana Development Center, Women’s Development Foundation and the Nigel Billimoria Elephant Conservation Trust – who work together in Ibbagamuwa for social justice, this event empowers children to take the lead in demanding for a future where they may continue to enjoy a quality of life in balance with our natural eco-system.
“This is not just about elephants, it’s about the bigger picture. Climate change, plastic pollution and loss of biodiversity are all connected. Microplastics have been found in our human placentas, ovarian fluid and breast milk. We have witnessed deaths of animals and birds around Bathalagoda Lake because of eating plastic. This is about our children’s future, and it is our children who are stepping forward to remind us of our responsibility.” Paba Deshapriya, Director, The Grassrooted Trust
Key themes of the event:
Waste Segregation and Management: For recycling to work, segregation and management of waste is essential.
Plastic pollution: Highlighting the dangers of single use plastic to wildlife, eco systems and human health.
Climate Emergency: Calling attention to the urgent need for climate action to limit the rise of the average global surface temperature to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Event Highlights:
- A march along the Dambulla road led by children and their supporters with puppets, creative performances, songs, street theatre and artwork focused on elephants, biodiversity and climate.
- A mobile screening of the video/reel/TikTok competition highlighting the need for localized responses to the climate emergency.
- A food fair with local Athwela Marketplace vendors following a ZERO WASTE approach to serving and packaging.
“By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. That means when I am 35 there will be less biodiversity in the ocean and that will limit the oxygen production. I am scared to think about that future that is why we must act today, it’s an emergency” says 12 year-old Illekya from the Athwela Nirmana Kavaya.
The “Elephant Free Elephant Walk” is a call to adults, decision makers and industries to listen to the next generation – those who will inherit the consequences of our actions today.
Event Date – Sunday, 10th August 2025
Start Time – 3pm
Start Location – Ibbagamuwa Central College
End Location & Food Fair [5pm onwards] – Devasarana Development Centre, Yakalla, Ibbagamuwa
Organized by: Athwela Partnership
Contact for more information: +94727777183
Email: trust@grassrooted.net