Cashew plants distributed among beneficiary families
The Greening Batticaloa initiative distributed its first set cashew plants among beneficiary families. The beneficiaries, selected after a careful screening process in collaboration with the relevant Divisional Secretariat office to ascertain their eligibility, received their plants with much enthusiasm.
Dilmah Conservation, the Cashew Corporation Regional Office and the Eastern University will continuously monitor the progress of the individual plots. This initiative by Dilmah Conservation is aimed at buffering the green cover in Batticaloa while providing a revenue generation method for the beneficiaries in the long run.
A beneficiary with her cashew plants
List of beneficiaries:
V. Dhanaletchumy – Badulla Road, Chenkalady 3500 plants
Mrs. M. Jeevanathy – Navalar Road, Akkaraipattu 3500 plants
Mrs. Komathy – Rajcrima Road, Kalmunai 4000 plants
Mrs. K. Wijeyaletchumy – Sathidar Road, Sittandy 3500 plants
Miss. H. Jeyantha – 10th Cross, Iruthayapura 3500 plants
T. Vanmathy – Main Streeet, Vantharumulai 3500 plants
T. Renuka – Manalchenai, Kalmunai 3500 plants
Total plants distributed 25000 plants
Batticaloa, a bustling city on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka has suffered from dual natural disasters in the last thirty years. A cyclone in 1978 and the Asian Tsunami in 2004 caused considerable loss of greenery in Batticaloa. and his has been identified as one of the factors contributing to the excessive heat experienced in this area as the two events are said to have caused the depletion in the forest cover.
According to research, the area needs 150 sq. km of forest cover to reverse the adverse situation. Dilmah Conservation will address this situation by planting 50,000 cashew trees within a span of three-years in the coastal areas between Valachchenai to Kalavanchikudi, where the loss of forest cover was high. The cashew trees will form a protective green canopy which will adjust the ecosystem through carbon absorption mechanisms. Currently, the project is in its early stages with the establishment of the cashew plant nurseries. Dilmah Conservation has embarked on this project with the assistance of the Cashew Cooperation and the Divisional Secretariat. Plot owners will be identified by the Divisional Secretariat office based on the available land extent and their ability to contribute to 50per cent of the costs. On the long-term, suitable support will be g to the community to produce cashew for commercial purposes. This will help them in enhancing their livelihoods. Distribution and plantations will be coordinated by a Dilmah Conservation appointed staff member under the direct supervision of the Area Manager of the Cashew Corporation. Evaluations will be conducted by the Eastern University.
It is envisaged that the cashew plantations will strengthen the socio-economic standing of the community whilst improving the ecology of Batticaloa. Keeping in line with our founder’s philosophy that “you cannot convince a poor and hungry man the need for conservation”, Dilmah Conservation will ensure that ecological restoration of Batticaloa is carried out in sync with community empowerment.
