Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday, 19 September 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
HSBC Sri Lanka in support of its global efforts; protecting the environment and its habitat has organised a photography exhibition on 22 September 2011 at the Lionel Wendt. The exhibition will showcase HSBC’s most talented photographers who have captured images of the rich bio-diversity of a regenerating tropical rainforest in Mahausakande, Kiriella.
The exhibition which will be open for public viewing on 23 and 24 September 2011 will feature the rich bio diversity of Mahausakande including fauna, flora, sceneries, surrounding community and the village life. The photographers have used their creative insights in capturing some of the best moments in this forestry site. This exhibition has been organised with the support of the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka.
The Mahausakande project which is in conjunction with the Ellawala Charitable Trust mainly aims to introduce 10,000 indigenous plant species to the rainforest. It also serves to enable self sustainable livelihoods for the inhabitants in the area by promoting conservation, education and awareness as part of an integral and holistic programme.
The uplifting of the standards of living and quality of life is seen when preserving the biodiversity in the area, thus promoting economic benefits to local communities through eco-tourism and cottage industries.
The project will also help introduce alternate livelihood programmes to those who currently engage in deforesting activities and encourage micro financing, conduct educational seminars to educate the younger generation, extend best practices replicating similar activities in other rainforests in Sri Lanka and promote applied research related to rainforests and ecosystem services.
Once fully grown, the forest will have the capacity to trap 3,200 tonnes of carbon every year, enabling it to enter the carbon trading market.
In addition, the exhibition will display a collection of unique ‘cocoshel’ (coconut shell) jewellery, an initiative spearheaded by local residents who have been empowered to take this creative craft to greater heights.
