Sunshine Holdings’ Nakiyadeniya oil palm estate discovers endemic fish species
A pioneering bio diversity study conducted in the freshwater streams of Nakiyadeniya Oil Palm Estate, an oil palm estate managed by the agribusiness arm of Sri Lanka’s diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC, has led to a remarkable discovery of a new fish species.
Scientifically named as ‘Schistura scripta’ and commonly known as ‘Sri Lanka Mountain Loach’, the new fish species has been confirmed as endemic to Sri Lanka and can be distinguished from all other congener fish species from Sri Lanka and peninsular India by the combination of some distinctive characteristics.
The research was conducted by Hiranya Sudasinghe from the University of Peradeniya on Nakiyadeniya and Homadola estates in the south-western lowlands of Sri Lanka, coming under Sunshine Holdings PLC.
Sunshine Group has provided fullest support to complete the study on freshwater fish species in the south-western lowlands of the country, as part of their mission to become Sri Lanka’s first RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified oil palm estate.
Commenting on this notable achievement, in an outset where oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka has attracted negative reputation, Chief Executive Officer of Watawala Plantations, Binesh Pananwala points out that sustainable agricultural practices at the company’s oil palm estates have led to the remarkable discovery of an endemic fish species.
“Our mindfulness about using environmentally sustainable agricultural models have resulted in finding the new Schistura species in our freshwater streams and this species can be only found in Nakiyadeniya Estate coming under Sunshine Holdings PLC.
“While it shows our commitment towards conserving the natural habitat around our oil palm cultivation, we are dedicated to invest more time, energy and other resources preserving flora and fauna in our oil palm estates,” he commented further.
The members of Schsitura in Sri Lanka are distributed mainly in the island’s southwest quadrant and its central hills drained by the major rivers Kelani, Kalu, Gin, Nilwala, Walawe and Mahaweli. The newlyfound Schsitura scripta is presently known only from its type locality, with an area of occupancy of greater than 10 km2, which suggests an IUCN Red List assessment of Critically Endangered.