HSBC zooms in on rich biodiversity of a regenerating tropical rainforest

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mahausakande project, adopted in 2008, is one of the HSBC’s flagship environment conservation initiatives, which seeks to regenerate a tropical rainforest in a scientific and holistic manner. Through the support extended by HSBC, the project has been able to achieve the following objectives initiated at the inception:

nThe regeneration of a tropical rainforest to house 10,000 indigenous woody species

nTo promote self sustainable livelihood and encourage healthy life styles amongst the local community by educating and introducing them to the concept of holistic living

nTo promote conservation, education and awareness as part of an integral informative program on healthy life styles and sustainability

HSBC is proud of the progress made by this unique project thus far. The staff photography exhibition is designed to showcase the talents of HSBC staff members while communicating about the importance of conservation to a wider audience.

“It gives me great pleasure to witness our talented staff. We have had many programmes in the past such as the HSBC’s Got Talent Show and Sports Days, which have all been successes by showcasing the skills and capabilities of our staff. This is yet another opportunity presented by the Bank, but one that is different as it revolves around a theme that is very much in-line with our corporate social responsibility initiatives. I would like to thank all of the 18 photographers for their participation and wish them continued success in their creative endeavours,” said Nick A. Nicolaou, CEO HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives.

HSBC 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 biodiversity 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 biodiversity 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.

“Eighteen photo enthusiasts basically with minimal coaching in the art and science of photography in just four days at the project locale; despite many odds such as intermittent rain, the gloomy weather and the ever present leaches captured hundreds of exceptional images. This select group has done tremendously well and what is unique is that their coming up with a commendable set of properly composed and technically impressive photographs in capturing so coherently the context of the people, the practices and the bio-diversity of the Mahausakande project,” said Panduka de Silva, from the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka.