A large scale environmental project was witnessed in Ratnapura recently, spearheaded by the oldest apparel manufacturing company in Sri Lanka. Implemented under its key annual CSR initiative, Bernard Botejue Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. joined hands with ReForest Sri Lanka to successfully reforest seven acres of land in Ratnapura. The timely initiative was of great significance as it was recorded as the largest single-day reforestation project that has taken place in the history of Sri Lanka with the planting of 4,000 trees.
The event was held with the participation of a large number of volunteers including the employees and staff of Bernard Botejue, members of ReForest Sri Lanka, as well as residents of the area.
Forests are rapidly dwindling due to various reasons, including climate change, global warming and human interventions. A considerable number of bush fires were reported towards the end of 2016, and the situation continued in early 2017 destroying acres of land in forest reserves like the Knuckles, Bibile and Moneragala.
Bush fires not only destroy primeval trees, wildlife, and eco-systems, but also have a drastic impact on the climate, and dry up water sources and springs, which in turn cause water scarcity throughout the island.
Janaka Botejue - environmental enthusiast and chairman of Bernard Botejue Industries, expressing his views on this momentous project said, “We began this reforestation initiative last year, distributing 850 saplings to all employees of Bernard Botejue Kolonna and the residents of the area, to be planted as part of the factory’s anniversary celebration.
Following the success of the project, we wanted to continue the reforestation initiative on a larger scale, this year. Unlike projects that give instant results, this initiative will be different, as it contributes to the bigger picture of the deteriorating environment that we live in.
The thousands of trees we plant today will not only purify the air and enrich the soil, but also help the country immensely to restore its receding forest coverage and refill water springs in the long run. I would like to take this opportunity to thank ReForest Sri Lanka for the invaluable support they have extended to us throughout the initiative. This is only the beginning, we hope to conduct similar initiatives in the future and empower our communities further through better environmental standards.”