Case Studies

HSBC and its staff in Sri Lanka have been working in a number of the country's natural areas to help protect and preserve their biodiversity and encourage others to do the same.

Horton Plains

Horton Plains is the highest plateau in Sri Lanka, covering 7,800 acres (3,150 hectares) and was upgraded to a national park in 1988. It is not only a unique ecosystem but also an important watershed area feeding several of the major rivers in Sri Lanka. Home to 52 species of endemic birds and 11 of migrates, along with butterflies and endemic plants, over many years the area had gradually become polluted. Discarded rubbish and plastic bags were choking large numbers of the sambur (species of deer) population and had led to a huge increase in the numbers of crows. Fires had also damaged the area.

Since 2000, HSBC in Sri Lanka has partnered with the Department of Wildlife Conservation to help clean up and maintain this beautiful area. A major awareness campaign was started, educating visitors about the value and richness of the plains through information hoardings and information officers, both sponsored by HSBC. In addition, HSBC staff have taken part in clean-up programmes.

Other wildlife parks

The success of the Horton Plains clean-up has led HSBC to partner the Department of Wildlife Conservation in similar programmes at five other major wildlife parks, namely Wasgamuwa, Udawalawa, Kaudulla, Minneriya and Bundala. HSBC has sponsored two workers at each park who collect rubbish and clean visitor centres, buildings and roads.

Sinharaja rain forest

The Sinharaja rain forest is Sri Lanka's only remaining area of virgin tropical rain forest. It was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, a national wilderness area in 1988 and a World Heritage Site in 1989. Despite this, tea cultivation practices and the use of agrochemicals have led to soil erosion, loss of soil fertility and water contamination.

HSBC has undertaken several education programmes for its staff and local schoolchildren about the importance of the rain forest and the need to preserve it.

Under the Sinharaja home stay programme, HSBC staff spend a weekend in the Sinharaja buffer zone living the same lifestyle as the local community. This creates awareness and appreciation of the rain forest and the environment and staff present to colleagues on their return.

Two school programmes have also been undertaken:

• School children studying in the Sinharaja buffer zone undertook a year-long bio-monitoring programme, tracking changes within the biosphere. HSBC organised and sponsored an exhibition, at which the students displayed and presented what they had learnt, including a collection of medicinal herbs found in the forest;
• Around 400 students from five schools in and around the forest are being sponsored to take part in a one-year intensive course to learn about and raise awareness of environmental issues affecting the Sinharaja forest. HSBC will also support a schools' improvement programme, a libraries programme and nature outings.

Scenic view of Horton Plains