Ceylinco Life to restore 50 ha of land under project with Kelaniya University
An initiative to restore and maintain 50 hectares (123.5 acres) of land owned by the Forest Conservation Department in the Puttalam range is being supported by Ceylinco Life in collaboration with the University of Kelaniya, as part of the life insurance leader’s commitment to the environment and its effort to achieve zero carbon emissions status.
To pave the way for this endeavour, Ceylinco Life Chairman R. Renganathan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with University of Kelaniya Vice Chancellor Prof. D.M. Semasinghe.
Announcing the signing of the MOU between the two institutions, Ceylinco Life said it would work with the Kelaniya University’s Centre for Sustainability Solutions to develop the forest patch, which has been identified as degraded by the Forest Conservation Department.
The project will contribute towards environmental conservation and biodiversity maintenance in the land located in the Wanniyagama Beat of the Puttalam range, in the Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretariat area.
The company said it has already embarked on a comprehensive green agenda that includes converting its branches to eco-friendly operations and the credits earned from the reforestation project could be set off against the progressively reducing environment footprint of Ceylinco Life, which is targeting zero carbon emissions in the near future.
University of Kelaniya will prepare the forest management plan, which will be approved by the Forest Conservation Department. Ceylinco Life will contribute in preparing the land, implementation of restoration strategies and maintenance thereafter as stipulated in the forest management plan.
All costs involved in collecting the necessary information and data in preparation of a forest management plan and its implementation and monitoring will be borne by Ceylinco Life, under the terms of the agreement.
During the project period, University of Kelaniya will observe the proper maintenance of the reforested land, conduct field surveys and research studies in the forest to collect relevant information and data to formulate the forest management plan and conduct academic programmes in the restored forest land as needed for undergraduates and other relevant stakeholders. Forest Conservation Department and relevant officers in the area are actively providing the necessary guidance and assistance and all the activities proposed are under their surveillance.
Commenting on this milestone collaboration with University of Kelaniya and its Centre for Sustainability Solutions, Renganathan said, “Although our carbon footprint is much lower than that of a manufacturing entity, Ceylinco Life has been on a mission to be environment-friendly and has been converting many of its branches to operate on solar power and to use harvested rain water. We have established 26 Green branches to date, built according to the company’s sustainable energy model and more are planned. This reforestation project is a perfect match for our ethos of eco-friendly operations and provides an opportunity to give back to the community by contributing towards a greener environment.”