It was carried out in collaboration with the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project team and its partners, including Ruk Rekaganno, John Keells, and project leader Mr. Vimukthi.
The Ocean Lanka team also actively supported the project, contributing their efforts to ensure the success of this important reforestation initiative.
This project is a try-party collaborative project conducted by the Forest Department, Ruk Rekaganno and the Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
Held recently at Suduwelpotha in the Ratnapura District, this two-day student volunteer program was a focused attempt to contribute to restoring 59 acres of degraded land, which is infested with invasive species.
In order to prepare the soil for regeneration, teams worked diligently to remove invasive species on the first day.
Two hundred native trees were planted the next day, which is an effort to bring life back.
In addition to contributing toward the ecological recovery of this project site, this hands-on effort demonstrated Ocean Lanka's larger dedication to environmental stewardship.
The ancient biological treasures of Sri Lanka's wet zone rainforests, such as Sinharaja, date back to Gondwanaland and are home to unique species that are only found there.
However, these delicate wet zone ecosystems, such as Sinharaj, are now in danger due to the spread of invasive flora, encroachment & climate change.
These issues are directly addressed by the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, which combines ecology, restoration science, & community involvement.
By recovering endemic flora and restoring ecological balance, the initiative seeks to revitalize 59 acres of degraded land.
Additionally, it seeks to improve soil stability and rebuild habitats by eliminating invasive species.
More significantly, it aims to strengthen a movement by enlisting volunteers and local communities to foster a long-lasting conservation culture, guaranteeing that the forest's guardians will continue to stand by its side for many generations to come.
Every activity was directed by strict scientific oversight.
To track progress, belt transects and permanent sampling sites were set up, and each tree planted was tagged and measured.
The return of both invertebrates & vertebrates was documented by a biodiversity monitoring protocol, ensuring a science-based restoration model.
The initiative's results demonstrate the strength of collective effort.
In addition to faunal diversity increasing from 189 to 251 species, with butterfly species alone increasing from 51 to 83, native flora increased from 92 to 123 species.
With a remarkable 85 to 90% survival rate, the team significantly surpassed its reforestation goal, planting nearly 22,000 native trees so far.
The removal of invasive species brought the dormant seed bank of the land to life, causing a surge of natural regeneration and demonstrating that the land was capable of self-healing, given the correct assistance.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Thakshila Nadeeshani Dharmapriya of the University of Colombo stated:
"Partnerships have served as a potent illustration of how academia and the private sector can collaborate to preserve and revitalize our natural heritage.
The Cinnamon Reforestation Project serves as an example of how we may revitalize damaged ecosystems through the use of science, community involvement, and collaboration.
The project has already seen a return of biodiversity, which serves as a reminder of how resilient nature is.
This endeavor marks the start of a long-term dedication to ecological restoration and the empowerment of future guardians of the forest, not its conclusion.”
Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is delighted to get connected to this restoration initiative as we remain dedicated to advancing sustainability, both within our operations and through collaborative conservation efforts.
The company views this project not just as a reforestation success but also as a way forward to revitalize degraded land blocks in the wet zone of Sri Lanka, making sure that future generations inherit a flourishing rainforest ecosystem.
The Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project is a beacon of hope and a model for ecological recovery, showing that when the private sector, academia, and communities come together, the results can be transformational.