Samahan, a product of Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd launched a holistic programme themed ‘Asiri Surakimu Samanola’, to solve the plastic waste crisis in Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada). Implemented in collaboration with 15 active stakeholders from government institutes, local government institutes and private institutes, the programme initiatives included clean-up activities, engaging pilgrims in clean-up activities and a comprehensive communication and awareness campaign to encourage pilgrims to refrain from polluting the surroundings.
The Asiri Surakimu Samanola campaign action plan aligns well with the No. 15 goal of ‘Life on Land’, one of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ spelled out by the United Nations.
Commenting on the campaign, Priyantha Collnnege, Manager ER & CSR of Link Natural Products, said, “Adam’s Peak is not only a place of religious and historical significance but also a treasure trove that harbours valuable endemic flora and fauna. Water falling on the cone shaped Adam’s Peak enriches tributaries of Kelani River and Kalu River, two of the major rivers in Sri Lanka. Out of approx. 500,000 imported polythene and plastic waste per year from Sri Lanka, only 150,000 Metric tonnes get exported as recycled, finished products. A mere 30% - 40% get recycled inside the country which amounts to 175,000 metric tonnes while a staggering 175,000 metric tonnes is estimated to be polluting the land and water resources of the island. ”
“The basic reconnaissance expedition that we undertook with the assistance of Sri Lanka Police – Nallathanniya revealed a plastic waste layer entrenched in Maskeliya tank upstream. The scouting expedition also discovered numerous dumps of plastics and polythene deep in the forests of Adam’s Peak. In 2016, one of these mounds of plastic caused a landslide,” further revealed Priyantha Collnnege.
“While we were honoured to be the initiators of the campaign, we could not have carried out a project of this scale and magnitude without the support of our other stakeholders. I would like to offer my sincere appreciation for the genuine interest and efforts to protect the delicate ecology of the Adam’s Peak region,” commented Shanaka Fernando, Marketing Manager of Link Natural Products.
Over 15 stakeholders such as the Presidential Secretariat, District Secretariat office Nuwara Eilya, Divisional Secretary’s office Ambagamuwa, Pradeshiya Sabhas of Ambagamuwa and Maskeliya, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka Police Nallathanniya and Maskeliya, RDHS Nuwara-Eliya, National youth services council, ITN media network and ECO Spindles (Pvt) Ltd worked together to make the campaign a success.
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