Holcim Lanka rescues animals in Aruwakkalu together with IUCN for 5th consecutive year

Saturday, 3 January 2015 03:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Holcim (Lanka) Ltd. (HLL), as the only green cement manufacturer in Sri Lanka, has sustained its commitment to the conservation of the environment as part of its operational policy throughout its longstanding tenure in the local market. Anchored to the triple bottom-line approach of creating value for People and the Planet, alongside profitability, the company places great emphasis on the protection and promotion of bio diversity as part reducing the environment footprint the company leaves behind. Holcim Lanka Head of Sustainable Development Chalaka Fernando commented: “We are true to the environment commitment of leaving the lowest footprint possible. In partnership with IUCN, the Animal Rescue Program is yet another opportunity we take to stay true to this commitment. We believe in embedding this green culture into our corporate DNA, therefore every year we recognise and appreciate our employees’ effort made to conserving nature.” IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organisation and a leading authority on environmental and sustainable development. By leveraging on IUCN’s expertise, Holcim Lanka has achieved some exceptional results in four key bio diversity areas:

Prior to the mining process IUCN administers the inventory of bio diversity in the site. This involves surveying the species of plants and animals in the designated area. During this inventory taking, various species of animals were rescued by the HLLL team. About 2000 animals were captured and rescued in 2014. These are slow moving animals which are relocated in secure areas in accordance with their natural habitat. Holcim Lanka is perhaps the first and only corporate entity in Sri Lanka to conduct such a program. Significantly, this has attracted employee interest and many Holcim Lanka employees volunteer to engage with this project. Once the quarrying process is complete, Holcim Lanka takes on the task to restore the natural habitat with reforestation. The company planted 5,300 trees in the year 2013, while over 42,000 plants have been planted since 2007 as part of this program. Refilling of land is also undertaken. The trees to be planted are selected on the recommendation of IUCN. Holcim Lanka can reforest over 65 hectares. Wet-land conservation also takes place alongside the replanting. Furthermore, natural wetlands within Holcim Lanka premises are also managed and conserved by the company. Biodiversity monitoring: Conserving bio diversity if not a one-off activity for the company. Holcim Lanka has adopted IUCN’s monitoring protocol and follows it diligently. Some of the criteria that are monitored and recorded include healthiness of ecosystem, species richness and diversity, survival trends and any areas for improvement. Holcim Lanka takes initiatives to remove invasive trees annually so that they do not threaten the bio diversity of the area. IUCN Program Coordinator Shamen Vidanage said: “The partnership with the Holcim Lanka is a notable effort; we make to preserve the environment. Holcim Lanka is one of the only private sector companies to devise such a longstanding partnership with IUCN Sri Lanka. By leveraging on IUCN’s expertise, Holcim Lanka has achieved some exceptional results in conserving bio diversity since 2007.” Apart from the biodiversity benefits from the IUCN partnership, Holcim Lanka has constructed a fossil museum together with the Biodiversity Unit of the Environment Ministry, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the company. Moreover, the company also takes measures to conserve the highly biodiversity sensitive areas ‘Setta Villu’ to preserve the rare species in the area. It encourages the use of this conservation area for academics and environmentalist to use for purposes of research. Holcim Lanka also operates a cement grinding plant in Galle and has leveraged on the location to achieve several parameters through its partnership with IUCN, namely, a green belt counting over 750 trees to provide a buffer to the adjoining mangrove ecosystem and the Artificial coral growing project, wherein artificial dome shaped structures are deployed in the Unawatuna coastal area in 2008. Corals in this area were affected by the Tsunami. Recent monitoring reports suggest the corals are growing at a healthy pace.