Our Sustainability Framework is now a globally recognized benchmark for Environmental and social risk management in the
local plantation sector. Since we aligned our focus and goals to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the
United in 2015, we’ve been on an accelerated journey in serving the society a little better every day. While we keep on growing
we set example and encourage the sector to follow us in big steps like adopting to the International Sustainability and Carbon
Footprint Certification.
Our most novel project, Peak Ridge Forest Corridor Collaboration for Biodiversity Conversation with a collaboration between
several estates, Wilderness and Wildlife conservation Trust (WWCT) and several other stakeholders to drive a
ground-breaking, private-sector led conservation effort to protect leopard and other biodiversity in a key area in Sri Lanka. HPL
with its estates is collaborating with this effort to maintain a favorable habitat for Leopards and other biodiversity.
Incorporated into our vision & mission, we will adhere to our SDGs to the betterment of the planet, society and our
stakeholders
- “Green Planet” Tree Planting Program
- The “Green Planet” tree planting program was officially launched on 1st January 2022
with the planting of 1000 native plants at HPL’s estates in the Central hill country and
Horana areas. We have successfully planted 5,322 native trees in our estates.
In Collaboration with Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) HPL give support to the establishment of a forest corridor passage along the banks of the Maskeliya-Oya. We have identified and mapped out 55 hectares in the UPCOT Valley to rehabilitate the riverine ecosystem using native mountain plants such as Macaranga peltata, Elaeocarpus montanus, Elaeocarpus serratus, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, and others. This project is started in coinciding with International Mountain Day 2023.
Additionally, we have identified 100 hectares in Halwathura Estate to restore the natural ecosystem in the Low Country Region.
- The “Green Planet” tree planting program was officially launched on 1st January 2022
with the planting of 1000 native plants at HPL’s estates in the Central hill country and
Horana areas. We have successfully planted 5,322 native trees in our estates.
- Safe Haven
- “Safe Haven” for every plantation worker was launched to uplift the living standards and improve the quality of life of plantation worker community and ensure the sustainability of the plantations. HPL in collaboration with PHDT, ADRA, and World Vision invest approximately Rs. 23 Mn towards construction of New Houses and Re-Roofing programs which has benefitted more than 950 families. HPL is now targeting to achieve 100% coverage across all 14 of our plantations by 2030.
- Go Green Energy
- We consume a substantial amount of energy in our business activities which accounts for
49% of the greenhouse gas
emissions. Hence, we have focused on a cleaner energy strategy that enables us to
gradually shift from fossil fuel and
electricity to renewable energy, investing in solar energy and hydropower as
alternatives.
Considering the solar energy potential available and adapting to carbon crediting by carbon reduction potentiality, HPL implemented Grid-connected and off-grid Rooftop Solar PV Projects located at Upcot-Maskeliya, Lindula and Horana regions. Fifty- eight (58) solar PV systems located at fourteen estates are bundled into a single project activity titled “Go Green Energy” Project. HPL has completed five processing centre rooftops and ten bungalow rooftops together with one solar powered water pump generating 975KWh at present.
HPL increased its hydropower capacity by 120Kwh by upgrading the mini hydropower infrastructure in Fairlawn and Bambarakelly estates facilitating excess energy supply to the national grid.
- We consume a substantial amount of energy in our business activities which accounts for
49% of the greenhouse gas
emissions. Hence, we have focused on a cleaner energy strategy that enables us to
gradually shift from fossil fuel and
electricity to renewable energy, investing in solar energy and hydropower as
alternatives.
- Peak Ridge Forest Corridor
- We launched our flagship biodiversity conservation initiative “Peak-Ridge Leopard Corridor” project to protect the leopard population and other endemic species in the Upcot region by creating a forest corridor spanning 18 km between Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoirs. This corridor intersects HPL’s Stockholm, Mahanilu and Alton estates extending to the Ballapennumgala forest reserve. This is a collaborative project between HPL, Biodiversity Sri Lanka, Dilmah Conservation and the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Authority.
- Rainwater Harvesting Ponds
- HPL strongly believe the harness the power of rain, cultivate resilience, and
embrace a greener future with our rainwater harvesting ponds.
Twenty-two Rainwater Harvesting Ponds have been commissioned at our upcountry and low country estates which has harvestable rain water capacity of 66 Mn L. Water collected in these ponds are diverted to plantations during dry season and also channeled for use by estate communities for their needs.
- HPL strongly believe the harness the power of rain, cultivate resilience, and
embrace a greener future with our rainwater harvesting ponds.
- Vermi-Technologies
- We utilized globally accepted Vermi technology; Vermicompost and Vermi-wash
methods as an environmentally friendly alternative for synthetic fertilizer. A
cost-effective method and an effective project for waste minimization, this
nutrient and micro-organisms’ rich organic fertilizer has facilitated maintenance
of healthy soil and improved yield in estates.
Due to the significant amounts’ nutrients, vermi-compost and vermi-wash like vermitech methods are globally accepted as environmental, social and economic friendly, feasible alternative to synthetic agricultural inputs. As a solution to the current fertilizer demand, HPL has been working with estate worker community to produce nutrients and micro-organisms’ rich organic fertilizer for maintain healthy soil and increase yield in estates.
- We utilized globally accepted Vermi technology; Vermicompost and Vermi-wash
methods as an environmentally friendly alternative for synthetic fertilizer. A
cost-effective method and an effective project for waste minimization, this
nutrient and micro-organisms’ rich organic fertilizer has facilitated maintenance
of healthy soil and improved yield in estates.
- Carbon Neutral Tea
- Horana Plantations PLC proud to announce that Gouravilla and Alton tea factories have been certified with Carbon Neutral Certification awarded by Sri Lanka Climate Fund. HPL proud to Indulge in our exquisite carbon-neutral tea, where every sip is a celebration of sustainability and flavor, harmonizing nature and taste in perfect balance.
- Biochar Project
- Biochar project is another carbon sinking project through our own agricultural
waste.
We are working with the PLANBOO organization (Swedish & New Zealand advisory team) to produce biochar and carbon credit to reduce the Company’s environmental impact and carbon footprint. The project commenced May 2022 in our low country estates and we derive biochar from biomass produced using our rubber and cinnamon sticks. By far, we have used biochar as a soil amendment for our rubber and oil palm cultivations.
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- Biochar project is another carbon sinking project through our own agricultural
waste.
- She-Essentia
- “She-Essentia” – Yet another women’s empowerment project facilitated by
Horana Plantations PLC for the well-being of its female community. HPL piloted a
“She-Essentia” to implement a special unit for the female community to have
access to low-cost reusable sanitary napkins, e-learning center and mini-library
for learning purpose, conducting mentoring and awareness sessions regarding
menstrual health, nutrition and hygiene management etc. This concept aims to
improve estate women and girl’s nutritional status, menstrual health and
hygiene while educating the targeted group and eliminating cultural taboos and
social stigma around menstruation.
Moreover, our ultimate goal is to keep the plantation worker family together in their houses within the estates by promoting women’s empowerment. We realized the importance of having family together without moving them to the urban cities. Therefore, HPL intend to train them not only for sanitary napkin production but also for making slippers, candles, uniforms etc. as well.
- “She-Essentia” – Yet another women’s empowerment project facilitated by
Horana Plantations PLC for the well-being of its female community. HPL piloted a
“She-Essentia” to implement a special unit for the female community to have
access to low-cost reusable sanitary napkins, e-learning center and mini-library
for learning purpose, conducting mentoring and awareness sessions regarding
menstrual health, nutrition and hygiene management etc. This concept aims to
improve estate women and girl’s nutritional status, menstrual health and
hygiene while educating the targeted group and eliminating cultural taboos and
social stigma around menstruation.
- Polyhouse Cultivation
- With a view to innovative techniques, HPL experienced modern cultivation technique of Poly-house cultivation projects in Stockholm and Tillicoultry are another project step-towards food security and a supportive way for the estate community to face the prevailing situation of the financial crisis and inflation. This project mainly focusses to contribute for the “Mid-day meal” of children in crèches of up-country estates.
