The Forest Department of Sri Lanka and the Sinharaja group (Dr. C.V. Savitri Gunatilleke, Dr. I.A.U. Nimal Gunatilleke, Dr. Peter S. Ashton, and Dr. P. Mark Ashton) have contributed significantly to teaching and moulding young students, both in the university and outside, and also educating the public, especially the local villagers on the benefits of conservation of biological diversity. They received the 2011 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation in recognition of their work. Dr. C.V. Savitri Gunatilleke discusses the key aspect of their work and the prize's impact.