Ceylinco Life to restore and maintain 10 acres of forest in Balangoda

(Above) Ceylinco Life Directors and representatives exchange the agreement with representatives of Rainforest Protectors and (Below) the reforestation in progress 

Ceylinco Life has undertaken the reforestation of 10 acres of degraded rainforest in Balangoda and its maintenance for five years, as a corporate sustainability initiative.

An investment of Rs 5.7 million, the project will be executed in collaboration with the non-profit environmental organisation, Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka, and will entail planting 10,000 trees, the life insurance market leader said.

The land to be reforested is located in the Rajawaka Forest Reserve area in Balangoda, bordering the wet and intermediate zones, and is part of an ecosystem of grass, shrub land, mountains and catchment blocks. It has been degraded over the years by manmade fires that have destroyed the natural habitat.

The objective of the project is to restore the area to forest and help the local community to protect the environment, thereby improving and enhancing the catchments and water security, reducing the frequency of fire, improving fire resistance, building up biodiversity, improving soil fertility, facilitating microorganism activity, and restoring the habitat for pollinator colonies such as bees and hornets.

The project would also provide different community benefits, including essential education on the importance of conservation, and generate long-term carbon benefits. The Company said 50 species of native trees that are endemic to the area including major canopy species, are to be planted in the 10-acre site.

Ceylinco Life has also embarked on a comprehensive Green agenda that includes converting its branches to eco-friendly operations. More than 30 Ceylinco Life branch buildings that are company owned are powered by solar energy and are designed and equipped to minimise their environmental footprint.