DFCC Bank marked World Environment Day and World Oceans Day with two significant initiatives, a Mangrove Restoration Project at Waikkal and a Reforestation Project at Riverston in the Knuckles Mountain range.
These endeavours reflect DFCC Bank’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, a journey that began in the early 1990s when the bank pioneered investments in renewable energy in Sri Lanka. With a vision of being ‘The Bank for Green Finance’ by 2030, DFCC Bank continues to lead by example, being the first entity in Sri Lanka to receive Green Climate Fund (GCF) accreditation.
The Mangrove Restoration Project at the Gin Oya Estuary in Waikkal was conducted on June 7. The initiative is part of DFCC Bank’s ‘Life to Marine’ programme, an ongoing effort to protect coastal ecosystems.
Underscoring the significance of the event, several top-ranking officials were present, including Chief Executive Officer Thimal Perera and Chief Human Resource Officer Paduma Subasinghe.
Building on DFCC Bank’s many partnerships towards its broader sustainability goals, this Mangrove Restoration Project was undertaken in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy, together with the support of the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of the Environment, the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department and the Geography Department of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The primary objective of this project is to enhance ecosystem resilience provided by mangrove forests, demonstrating their value as a ‘nature-based solution’ for dealing with climate change and the emerging environmental challenges along Sri Lanka’s extensive coastline.
The restoration of the Gin Oya Estuary mangroves enriches the local ecosystem and provides a habitat for various marine species. During the event, Dr Manoj Prasanna (PhD, C.Env.P) from the Biodiversity Secretariat also led an awareness session on ‘Mangrove Restoration and Habitat Enrichment of the Gin Oya’, helping to educate further participants, which included students of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura studying ‘Environment and Development’, about the ecological significance of mangroves.
DFCC Bank also undertook a reforestation project in the Knuckles Conservation Forest Reserve on June 8, planting 100 native plants in collaboration with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka. This project, which witnessed broad participation from DFCC Bank’s staff, also involved individuals from the local community.’
DFCC Bank Chief Executive Officer Thimal Perera said; “Our commitment to environmental sustainability is deeply ingrained in our ethos, culture, and strategy at DFCC Bank. By undertaking projects like these, we preserve vital ecosystems and promote community involvement and awareness, which have long-lasting positive and cascading benefits.”
“We believe these initiatives and our many other ongoing sustainability programmes are crucial for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for generations. These programmes also heavily underscore the significance of collaboration with authorities and communities towards realising positive climate action.”
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