CSR / Sustainability

Sampath and Biodiversity Sri Lanka conserve country’s largest natural freshwater lake

11 Jan 2016 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sampath Bank reiterated its commitment towards a sustainable greener tomorrow for Sri Lanka with the initiation of the Bolgoda Wetland Complex Conservation Project.
Launched in partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce), the official agreement for this project was recently signed by Aravinda Perera, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC and Mangala P. B. Yapa, Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Technical assistance to the project will be provided by the Sri Lanka Water Partnership which is hosted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Commenting on the bank’s latest CSR initiative, Aravinda Perera, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC, said, “The Bolgoda Wetland Complex (BWC) is the largest natural freshwater lake in the country, and is a crucial part of the Kalu river basin. However, it is facing various threats due to urbanization, and there is a dire need for immediate action to conserve its vital biodiversity and watershed services. We at Sampath Bank consider it is our responsibility to safeguard Sri Lanka’s natural resources so that our future generations have the opportunity to enjoy them as we have. As such, we look forward to working together with Biodiversity Sri Lanka in taking all necessary steps to enhance the protection and conservation of the Bolgoda Wetland Complex.”
The Bolgoda Wetland Complex (BWC) is the largest natural freshwater lake in the country. The lake which covers 400km2, comprises of two vast fresh water bodies, namely, the Bolgoda North Lake and the Bolgoda South Lake, which are connected by the river Weras.
The main objective of this project is to assist in restoring the degraded areas of the Bolgoda Wetland Complex to conserve biodiversity, maintain watershed services and increase its resilience to climate change for the benefit of local communities, agriculture and industry. The programme will host awareness sessions amongst stakeholders that will carry out appropriate actions including conducting biodiversity assessments to identify high risk activities damaging the environment.
This initiative will also focus on developing a vulnerability index and an indicator map, and emphasise on creating awareness amongst adults and children particularly in the immediate vicinity of the Bolgoda Wetland Complex.
Mangala P. B. Yapa, Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said, “The Bolgoda Wetland Complex is a precious and unique entity in our landscape which faces countless threats due to urban lifestyles. However, very little has been done to curb the degradation of the area or to attempt regenerating its habitat. In this context, this initiative is a thoughtful and a progressive one, and I want to thank Sampath Bank for stepping up to take on this task with us.”
In addition to this project, Sampath Bank has made profound efforts towards a greener tomorrow including islandwide tree planting programmes, energy saving initiatives, coral restoration projects, and beach clean-ups. Moreover, in playing a prominent role in the conservation of nature, Sampath Bank initiated a programme to contribute five rupees per every SET card issued, for the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society fund with the motive of preventing the destruction of and harmful effects on wildlife and habitats. As such, Sampath bank will commit itself in conserving nature to ensure a sustainable greener tomorrow
for the nation.

CSR / Sustainability

Sampath and Biodiversity Sri Lanka conserve country’s largest natural freshwater lake

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