Furthering their commitment to environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation, Hayleys Plantations has partnered with leading environmental and conservationist organisations to accelerate leopard conservation by establishing wildlife corridors within their estates.
Hayleys Plantation companies’ Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE) and Horana Plantations (HPL) have committed to this cause, enabling easy movement for leopards and other wildlife between fragmented habitats, facilitating gene flow, foraging, and breeding opportunities. In addition, the companies have also commenced research into conservation methods and implemented several community awareness and engagement programmes.
“As one of only two remaining island leopard species in the entire world, Sri Lankan leopards are a precious part of our nation’s biodiversity. However, they face significant threats from habitat loss, human-leopard conflict and poaching. Being an organisation, reliant on environment and bordering leopard habitats, we are uniquely positioned to take action to protect these endangered species.
By establishing wildlife corridors with the support of our partners, we are actively contributing to preserving Sri Lanka’s natural heritage and safeguarding ecosystems’ wellbeing for generations to come,” Hayleys Plantations Sector Managing Director Dr Roshan Rajadurai said.
As part of their ongoing commitment to leopard conservation, KVPL together with the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) has established the Elbedda Ridge Corridor (ERC), covering an entire belt of seven estates in Hatton region. Through combined research with WWCT scientists and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), KVPL has identified more than 40 leopards of four generations. KVPL also partnered with WWCT to establish its own native forest plant nursery at Ingestre Estate in Dick Oya. The company has expanded its leopard conservation initiatives through awareness programmes among estates’ employees and nearby communities, signboard installations, and specialised training, collaborating with organisations such as the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) and the Rainforest Alliance. These combined efforts have yielded tangible results, including increased leopard sightings and documented improvements in ecosystem health.
Simultaneously, TTE has joined forces with the Biodiversity Sri Lanka and the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) to enhance conservation efforts in both upcountry and low country estates.
HPL in collaboration with the Biodiversity Sri Lanka, the Dilmah Conservation, and the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Authority established the Peak-Ridge Leopard Corridor to protect the leopard population along with other endemic species in Upcot region. The corridor spans 18km between Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoirs, which intersects HPL’s Stockholm, Mahanilu and Alton Estates.
Through these collaborative efforts, Hayleys Plantations continues to demonstrate leadership in critical areas such as habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, and the prevention of harmful activities to ensure long-term ecosystem sustainability.
