KVPL leads collaborative approach to safeguard ‘We Oya’ watershed

Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) recently announced a significant expansion of its Kelani Valley Protectors Initiative (KVPI), a ground-breaking environmental conservation programme aimed at safeguarding the vital We Oya catchment area of the Kelani River, marking a pivotal step in KVPL’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

As part of an expansion to the initiative that began in 2022 in support of the Government’s ‘Surakimu Ganga’ Programme, KVPI has now introduced a novel green investment model, inviting external parties to sponsor native tree species. The project is carried out in partnership with several notable stakeholders, including the IUCN, the Divisional Secretariats, Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, , health-related agencies, and the Central Environment Authority.

KVPL has gone beyond the initial objectives of protecting the water source by ensuring the key three parameters such as drinking water, bathing water and aquatic water quality, and to upscale the initiative for protecting sensitive catchment areas by planting native tree species. In addition to the above key objectives, the initiative has move beyond the boundaries to represent it’s impact on social and community empowerment, specially in to a sustainable knowledge management model, by introducing ‘Green Clubs’ in the school network in the area. The members of these ‘Green Clubs’ are the children from this own community, and they are actively transforming the science based new knowledge in the catchment conservation and water stewardship in to the community who are living and depend on this water sources.

The initiative has taking forward with sustainable partnerships with various state, private, NGOs/ INGOs sector organizations such as UN volunteers, Central Environment Authority, Forest Department, Advantis 3PL, Control Union Inspections PVT LTD, Hirdaramani International Exports (PVT) LTD as few examples. These partnerships extend beyond financial support for restoring biodiversity in We oya catchment, with volunteers actively cleaning the WeOya catchment and strengthening local Green Clubs.

As part of the reforestation and conservation efforts within this programme, as at now, successfully planted  6,500 native trees, including a diverse mix of species such as Kumbuk, Ma Dan, Mee, Waa, Kohomba, Naimbul, and Kaduru. This initiative has been made possible through the dedication of volunteers, who have contributed over 2,000 hours across seven programs.

These collective efforts underline the initiative’s role in combating deforestation and enhancing the region’s ecological resilience.

“By inviting stakeholders to participate in safeguarding the We Oya catchment area, we’re fostering a shared commitment to our planet’s future and the communities reliant on these crucial water resources. We believe the path to a sustainable Sri Lanka is one we must walk together, and KVPI represents our first steps towards this greener future,” said Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director of Hayleys Plantations.

Under the new model, sponsors can contribute Rs. 850 per plant basis, including cost of the native plant and maintenance cost for first 3 years, with KVPL taking full responsibility for the procurement, planting, and three-year nurturing of native species, ensuring the long-term viability of the reforestation efforts while providing partners with a tangible way to fulfil their corporate social responsibility goals while contributing to global reforestation efforts.

“Our expanded KVPI model strategically incorporates several key components such as industry partnerships, tree planting initiatives, and the formation of Green Clubs. These clubs are more than extracurricular activities; they’re nurturing grounds for tomorrow’s environmental leaders - through engaging youth in critical issues of water quality and ecosystem health, we’re not only ensuring the longevity of our conservation efforts but also instilling vital values of sustainability and environmental stewardship in the next generation. This approach equips them with the knowledge and passion needed to drive Sri Lanka’s sustainable development forward,” said KVPL Director/CEO, Anura Weerakoon.

“Kelani Valley Protectors Initiative (KVPI), identified now as KVPLs flagship environmental sustainability initiative and this multi-stakeholder initiative is a key contributor for achieving water conservation and water stewardship related goals in our EESG- Sustainability framework, “The KVPLs Corporate DNA”, which is the dynamic strategic framework towards our 2030 agenda on UNSDGs, added KVPLs General Manager- HR & Corporate Sustainability Dr. Anuruddha Gamage.