HNB continues its commitment to Bundala National Park in the New Year

Referred to as a silent botanical disaster, the invasion of species such as Prosopis juliflora have destroyed the natural habitat at the Bundala National Park, the first Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. Hatton National Bank through the HNB Sustainability Foundation has been involved in supporting the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka and the MAS Group of Companies in clearing these weeds since 2007. Last year the Bank commenced funding the replanting of cleared areas as well.

The Bundala National Park extends over an area of 6216 hectares of brackish lagoons, salt pans, inter-tidal mudflats and thorny scrub jungle. Over 383 plant species have been recorded in this Park. It is also home to more than 30 different mammals that include elephants, wild boar and a variety of deer. Sightings of estuarine crocodile and mugger crocodile are also common. The Park is also renowned for its diverse bird life including migratory shore birds.

Invasive plants such as cactus and Prosopis juliflora (Mesquite) are a serious threat to the Bundala National Park. These have caused major changes in the ecosystem and have impacted on the areas used by animals for grazing and on the habitats of wading birds. The weed has tremendous natural growth potentials with its roots going down nearly beyond 15 meters to suck underground water from the aquifers. It also dries up the moisture of the surface soil so that native plants cannot grow and creates desert-like situations. It has been estimated that the spread of two invasive species of plants cover nearly 60% of land area according to a report of the International Conservation Union (IUCN). These destructive species threaten the very existence of the park and its wildlife.

Several hectares of invasive Prosopis and Opuntia are being uprooted with community participation and replanted with native species.  HNB has in the past participated in the clearing work and has funded clearing of a total of 25 hectares.

Recently the staff of HNB along with the locals planted several varieties of national plants that would yield timber, herbs and fruits such as woodapple, palu, ranawara, akil, neem, maiyla and veera. Staff were allowed special leave to participate in this activity as the Bank firmly believes in involving its’ 4,300 member team in every aspect of its CSR activities. This also allowed the Hatna Team to closely observe the damage to the Park as well as inspect the cleared areas funded by the Bank.