A few years ago, when mapping their sustainability goals, MAS took into consideration how they could positively impact and restore the space that they occupy through the physical presence of its facilities. This led them to make a pledge to restore biodiversity in 100 times the area that they occupy: this means restoring and replacing 100x250 acres by the year 2025.
With such an ambitious goal in mind, they explored the concept of aerial reforestation, or “seed bombing” as a method of restoring forests in lands unreachable by road networks, and covering larger areas of land faster than manual reforestation. These “seed balls” are made by placing seeds in a potting mix that functions as the growth medium, and seeds are dispersed aerially.
To initiate the project, they reached out to the University of Peradeniya’s Agriculture Faculty, as they had been carrying out years of research into the aerial reforestation method. With the help of the university, they learned how to create the seed balls using the right mix of potting media and the seeds best suited for the lands that they chose to reforest, as well as the right timing for this effort, depending on rainfall patterns.
Following this, they partnered with the Sri Lanka Air Force, who had already been conducting their own explorations into aerial reforestation, and who provided them with aerial assistance that was essential for this project. They also collaborated with the Forest Department, who supported them to identify the land for our reforestation efforts and to source the seeds through their network of field officers.
Brunch spoke to MAS Holdings Director – Environmental Sustainability Sharika Senanayake to find out if the initial project carried out in December 2018 at the Ranorawa Forest Reserve was successful. Giving us more details about the first stage, she stated that around 5,000 seeds belonging to the species Madhuca longifolia (Mee), Pongamia pinnata (Karanda) and Teminalia arjuna (Kumbuk) were dispersed by a MI-17 helicopter at an elevation of 330 feet.
“Since this was the pilot project, these seeds were wrapped with several types of plotting media to test which would best support the germination and survival of seeds. During the initial 10 months after the project, due to the continuous lack of rainfall, the Ranorawa area suffered a severe drought. This adversely impacted the projected growth rate of the seeds. Initial monitoring showed approximately 50% germination, while later field analysis showed that the drought resulted in a lower than expected survival rate,” stated Senanayake.
The findings
Taking the learnings from the pilot, together with the University of Peradeniya and the Forest Department, they collectively analysed the rainy season of the chosen area to determine the best window of time to carry out the reforestation efforts. The findings of the pilot also showed us that the ideal plotting media ratio was a 1:1:1:1 ratio of compost: coir dust: cow dung: soil.
After they adapted according to their findings, the second phase of the project was conducted successfully in November 2019 at Lahugala Forest Reserve in the Ampara area, where 67,000 seed balls were dispersed across 65 acres. In this second effort, Senanayake said they saw early germination rates of approximately 55% and an improved survival rate of approximately 45%.
Has the target been achieved?
Upon asking if they had achieved their target for the project, Senanayake commented: “Our overall commitment is to restore 25,000 acres by 2025, for which we have a long way to go. In order to achieve this goal, we consider six models of restoration, including reforestation (planting trees in a forest where the number of trees has diminished), afforestation (planting trees/seeds where there were no trees before), invasive species removal, enrichment of analog forestry/social forestry, forest gardens, and conservation.”
So far, they have restored 2,029 acres of land through a combination of the above restoration methods. “We are always looking to find like-minded partners to work with us on this goal because we know it is one that definitely requires collaboration,” added Senanayake.
Sharing more details on the third phase of the programme, Senanayake stated that the areas being reforested are ones that cannot be reached through road networks. Monitoring is done in partnership with the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Forest Department, as well as with the support of the locals of the area, while teams travel on bikes and on foot to reach the reforested lands.
She explained that the initial monitoring of the third effort was planned for April/May 2021; however, the ongoing travel restrictions have proven a challenge in doing so. “Plans are in place to conduct these visits once again in July/August, once the travel restrictions are lifted and authorities have declared it safe to travel. We look forward to sharing the results once this is done.”
We asked her what areas they hope to cover in the future, to which she responded: “The areas that are chosen for reforestation through this method are allocated to us by the Forest Department. The main criteria when selecting land for aerial reforestation is to identify land that cannot be accessed through the normal road network, and therefore cannot be manually reforested,” adding that they will continue to work together with the Forest Department to identify more appropriate lands.
Senanayake noted that their journey to restore 25,000 acres, strongly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 15 of “Life on Land”, recognises that without a balanced and thriving ecosystem, businesses or communities can’t survive in the long term. This is why they feel it is the responsibility of business to intervene to restore the habitats that sustain life on our planet.