One with nature & community amidst a Kandyan Forest Garden
Keeping to world standards of sustainable tourism, Polwaththa works closely with neighbouring villages Wepathana and Gomagoda. Ten young men and women, 80 percent of the Lodge staff, are from these villages and from Digana. Handicrafts from the village are sold at the Polwaththa boutique and all groceries are purchased from stores within a radius of five km. Villagers are employed in building projects and consulted on new projects.While I was there, Nihal and some village youths tested a bulk fruit-drying device they had invented themselves: although the first attempt went up in flames, it is successful and four new drying units are being prepared.
Twenty percent of Polwaththa’s profits are channelled back to the villagers through the local temple and school and used for local initiatives; for example, a road was repaired and a dam built for the village, and a group of women were helped to generate an income by sewing items to sell to tourists.
The Lodge’s rustic buildings complement its forest environment. “Our aim is to provide, besides an enjoyable holiday with a natural rural environment, an experience that uplifts the spirit rather than material comfort,” says Nihal.
The birth of Bululand
In 2016, the Ellegalla family went a little further. Nihal in partnership with Dutch agroforestry expert Henk Kieft, purchased a two-hectare plot of denuded forest in the neighbourhood.
“Nel was upset about the logging going on there for firewood,” said Nihal, adding that he was drawn to the land’s stunning lake view. Within three months, 300 new saplings, from large indigenous forest trees to wild flowering trees, fruit trees and coffee had been planted. Today, there are 550 new trees. These reforestation efforts have had 70 percent success, and a lush secondary forest is forming. Nel has named the plot Bululand, after a large bulu tree she loves.
To generate income for its upkeep, Nihal added a large outdoor yoga and meditation hall and built two more cabanas that would serve as solitary forest retreats on Bululand. One affords a spectacular view of Victoria Lake.
Importantly, Bululand led to the birth of the Forest Healing Foundation (FHF) of which Henk Kieft is President and Nihal is Secretary.A non-profit organisation, FHF seeks to protect threatened high-biodiversity forests, reforest barren lands and advocate for the value of forests.With Bululand serving as their showpiece, they would like to take their message across Sri Lanka.
Up until the COVID-19 pandemic this year, Polwaththa Eco Lodges registered an average of 60 percent occupancy, patronised by LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) travellers and nature lovers interested in community or rural life. Positive reviews have brought them Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence for four straight years up until 2019. However, business took a dive after the Easter bombings, and COVID-19 struck just as it was beginning to pick up again.
Yet during lockdown, FHF created educational resources for schools to help children reconnect with nature. Emma Marsden from England, programme coordinator of FHF, said that educational platforms and institutionshad been contacted online and schools will soon be visited.
This year, Polwaththa Eco Lodge also launched a new line of organic products, Eko Land Produce, with their own spices, and fruit such as jak, wild cinnamon, and vegetables, and spices and fruit purchased from the villages.Robusta and arabica coffee plants are aplenty, and Polwaththa have their own house coffee,Eko Land Produce coffee, a flavourful fusion of robusta and arabica that will soon be sold online.
It’s a simple, mindful existence here, says Nihal, adding he would like more Sri Lankans and expatriates to visit to experience the wholesome,rural way of life that strikes a healthy balance between community and environment.