‘Green Gold’ – Rohan Pethiyagoda’s new record of our modern natural history

As Sri Lankans, we tend to wax lyrical about our (currently) bountiful natural resources. From our incredible flora to our captivating wildlife, Sri Lanka’s extraordinary natural wealth has long been a magnet for explorers, naturalists, and scientists. 

A tapestry of intricate ecosystems, Lankan biodiversity is a rich amalgamation of species, each with its unique role in the grand web of life – from charismatic creatures like elephants and leopards to often-overlooked animals such as frogs and freshwater fish.

But what we don’t often think about is how Sri Lanka’s biodiversity has been documented over the years. To many of us, it just is and has always been. In truth, what we know about our biodiversity is the result of countless intrepid investigators, who, over the centuries, have ventured into our wilds and documented them. And it is this story of documenting our biodiversity that takes centre stage in Rohan Pethiyagoda’s newest book, ‘Green Gold,’ which was launched on 7 November. 

Published by Dilmah, Pethiyagoda shared that ‘Green Gold’ was based on a similar book published in 2007 that Dilmah Tea CEO Dilhan Fernando had in his personal library and was keen to republish because of its unparalleled knowledge and insight into how Sri Lankan biodiversity was first documented. Pethiyagoda saw this as an opportunity to update this record of Lankan natural history with information found in the intervening years. 

One of Sri Lanka’s most eminent naturalists and taxonomists, Pethiyagoda is a scientist, author, and conservationist who has dedicated his life to the study and preservation of biodiversity. 

An expert in amphibian and freshwater-fish taxonomy, he has published over 60 scientific papers and several books on natural history exploration in Sri Lanka. His work has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of preserving Sri Lanka’s unique ecosystems and engaging citizens in conservation efforts.

The journey of ‘Green Gold’  
‘Green Gold’ is an account of Sri Lanka’s modern natural history, told through the stories of the adventurers who have played a part in documenting it over the last 300 years or so, starting with the first records of our botany and zoology made by the Dutch during their occupation of the island in the 1650s.

“The Europeans came for two things – medicinal plants and spices. Sri Lanka’s pepper and cinnamon had been exported to the Mediterranean for thousands of years,” Pethiyagoda explained, noting that the export of Sri Lankan spices to the Mediterranean long predated the birth of Christ. 

The Dutch, in particular, had a keen interest in medicinal plants and had noticed Sri Lankans treating diseases with local flora. They began collecting these plants and sending them back to Holland for further study. This initiative was instrumental in not only collecting but also systematically naming these plants based on modern nomenclatures, laying the foundation for much of Sri Lanka’s modern taxonomy. 

When the British arrived in the late 1700s, they too were captivated by Sri Lanka’s botanic potential. They aimed to cultivate a range of crops, including tea, rubber, and the antimalarial cinchona. As a result, they brought plants from all over the world to Sri Lanka. 

This exchange, a two-way process, influenced the island’s food system profoundly. Pethiyagoda pointed out that much of what we consider Sri Lankan today in terms of plants, like pineapple and tomato, were originally from the Americas, and not really Sri Lankan at all. 

On the flip side, Sri Lanka also contributed to the global catalogue of species. However, the classification process involved extensive scientific work, formalising the names of these species for global reference. ‘Green Gold’ showcases how this process played out over centuries, presenting intriguing anecdotes and insights from the past.

Fascinating backstories behind modern taxonomy
Also part of the ‘Green Gold’ storytelling is how many of our species got their names, and, interestingly, how Sri Lanka has influenced the names of other species from around the world.

One such example of Sri Lanka inadvertently making a mark on the global animal kingdom is through the naming of the famous Brazilian snake, the anaconda. Pethiyagoda shared with Brunch that the name anaconda actually took its roots from the Sri Lankan name ‘Anakanda’.

The reason for this curious naming lies in the history of international shipping. Due to the peculiarities of shipping routes from Sri Lanka to Europe, ships would round the bottom of Africa and, unable to sail upwind, would proceed to Brazil before returning to Europe. 

As such, these ships that carried specimens from Sri Lanka to Europe carried specimens from both Sri Lanka, Brazil, Africa, and the other places along the way, sometimes leading to crates being wrongly labelled and so on. This is most likely how the anaconda got its Sri Lankan name.

An example of the reverse can be found, Pethiyagoda shared, when investigating the sloth bear, a bear endemic to Sri Lanka, but named after the sloth, a South American animal.

‘Green Gold’ is replete with such anecdotes and stories that illustrate the rich tapestry of biodiversity exploration in Sri Lanka. It’s a narrative of adventure, discovery, and the remarkable individuals who played a role in shaping our understanding of the island’s ecological wonders.

Documenting biodiversity through documenting people
One of the most captivating tales in ‘Green Gold’ revolves around Anna Maria Walker’s extraordinary journey.

In 1820, shortly after the Kandyan Rebellion, Walker, the wife of a British general, embarked on an expedition to climb Sri Pada. What makes her ascent remarkable is that she was the first white woman to do so and that she did so at a time when most would have expected her to meet with resistance from locals, given how new that part of the island was to colonial occupation. 

Accompanied by native Sri Lankans and travelling by palanquin, she navigated dense forests and treacherous terrains, documenting her journey in a detailed diary. Despite the hardships, such as the absence of roads and facilities, Walker’s account reveals her curiosity about the island’s plant life, her indomitable spirit of exploration, and her interest in botany, documenting many of the plants she found on her travels.

Other people whose stories Pethiyagoda shares in ‘Green Gold’ include people like Ernst Haeckel – the first person to illustrate Horton Plains; Edward Green – a tea planter of humble education whose interest in insects led him to become a global expert in insects and the President of Royal Entomology Association in Sri Lanka; as well as Sri Lankans like Paul Deraniyagala – who contributed heavily to the study of fish and many other animals. 

‘Green Gold’ goes beyond taxonomy and biodiversity to look at the intriguing personalities behind the scientific names and discoveries. The book offers an intimate view of history, presenting accounts that challenge conventional narratives and shed light on the complex interplay between exploration, science, and cultural perspectives.

Many of these stories of people who centred in Lankan conservation are told through a colonial lens as many of them were Europeans in Sri Lanka during the colonial period, which is messy in the global aftermath of colonialism, but Pethiyagoda shared that it was important to recognise their contributions when it came to recording Sri Lankan biodiversity. 

“There are many ways to look at these stories,” he explained, “as some of these people were racists and awful people, some were decent people, and some were very curious scientists. ‘Green Gold’ is a captivating journey through some 300 years of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity exploration.”

Understanding the value of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity
‘Green Gold’ is not just for scientists and taxonomists; it’s a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts and anyone curious about the intricate web of life on our planet. It beckons readers to embrace the legacy of exploration and conservation, encouraging them to celebrate the ‘green gold’ that makes Sri Lanka a biodiversity hotspot. It’s a testament to the ecological riches of Sri Lanka and the passionate individuals who contributed to its exploration. 

Pethiyagoda’s meticulous work in compiling this book serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. It is a continuation of the ongoing exploration and conservation efforts in Sri Lanka, as we strive to protect the island’s invaluable ecological heritage. 

The ‘green gold’ of Sri Lanka is not just a natural resource; it is a testament to the legacy of its remarkable biodiversity – a legacy that spans centuries, encapsulates human curiosity, and calls to protect the intricate web of life that thrives on this resplendent island.

Read ‘Green Gold’ – Rohan Pethiyagoda’s new record of our modern natural history – within the pages of The Morning, by Naveed Rozais: https://www.themorning.lk/articles/LL6UAnnFe7lAmTeMPtJd