Multi Finance to launch Phase II of ‘Each One Plant One’ campaign today

Friday, 6 July 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Multi Finance PLC will launch Phase II of its national level reforestation campaign ‘Each One Plant One’ (EOPO) today 6 July at the chosen seven-acre land area at Ilukpathakanda.

Affected by continuous and heavy deforestation, pinus tree plantation as well as various other human activities, Ilukpathakanda is a land area classified as degraded, located adjoining the Sinharaja World Heritage Rain Forest in the Ratnapura District, under the Kalawana Divisional Secretariat.

In 2003, the site experienced the largest landslide ever to occur in the district, and has since been declared a landslide prone area. Despite warnings, around 100 families remain within the danger zone and practice misguided land management, resulting in many more minor landslides.

With a pledge to plant 10 trees for every single transaction, Multi Finance PLC (MFPLC) launched their mega eco-sustainability campaign EOPO in March 2018 by planting 1000 saplings along the Southern Expressway from Kottawa towards Matara.

Phase II of the project at Ilukpathakanda will be launched by MFPLC in collaboration with the Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka, a year-long initiative that will be complemented by awareness programs on the importance of ecosystem rehabilitation for communities in the area.

The main objective of the project is to enhance the stability of the mountain slopes by restoring the affected area back to its natural habitat. Ilukpathakanda is also located in close vicinity to the proposed Hapugoda Forest Reserve, and this reforestation aims at creating a new biolink between the two areas to further strengthen and stabilise the biodiversity of the region.

“We are eager to launch the Ilukpathakanda project in July, since the area was already affected by heavy rains during the recent few weeks,” stated Multi Finance PLC Executive Director/CEO Pushpike Jayasundera.

“The immediate reforestation of the area is crucial for the surrounding communities, and that is why we area also investing our efforts in sharing knowledge and generating awareness among the villagers on sustainable ecosystems, natural habitats, safety of lives and the importance of intelligent and eco-friendly land management. The project will also create new job opportunities for villagers during and after implementation.”