HAYLEYS PLANTATIONS
Biodiversity Means Business:
A Decade of Impact,
A Future of Action
“Hayleys Plantations has launched high impact biodiversity projects that combine ecological restoration with community livelihoods”
Managing Director
Operating across ecologically sensitive landscapes, Hayleys Plantations – Talawakelle Tea Estates, Kelani Valley Plantations and Horana Plantations – partnered with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) to strengthen conservation across its estates.
“Our partnership with BSL has helped embed biodiversity into our environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) strategy; align with the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP); and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 – Life on Land,” affirms Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai.
Guided by BSL, Hayleys Plantations has advanced native forest restoration, riparian buffer protection and threatened species conservation – enhancing its capacity for nature based solutions, environmental resilience and community stewardship.
RESTORING LANDSCAPES Across its three companies, Hayleys Plantations has launched high impact biodiversity projects that combine ecological restoration with community livelihoods.
At Talawakelle Tea Estates, the St. Clair Ecosystem Restoration Project has restored 85 percent of habitats in a five hectare wetland ecosystem under land use pressure. A 13 kilometre forest corridor along the Nanu Oya and Agra Oya connects estates, restoring 11 hectares of riparian buffer zones with the support of 15 corporate partners and two universities, aiming to plant 50,000 native trees.
And at Horana Plantations, the Peak Ridge Forest Corridor spans 18 kilometres, linking key reservoirs and reserves to enable leopard movement and protect endemic species. Riparian rehabilitation has restored 55 hectares in the Upcot region and is maintaining 100 hectares of old tea lands for secondary reforestation in the low country at Halwathura Estate. This effort is also supported by the Green Planet tree planting programme, which has planted over 170,000 shade trees in three years to prevent erosion and provide habitats.
Kelani Valley Plantations leads the Kelani Valley Protectors Initiative (KVPI), safeguarding the We Oya catchment – a vital water source for over six million people. The project has planted 6,500 native trees and logged over 3,000 volunteer hours, alongside the Elbedda Ridge Corridor leopard conservation programme which is also recognised as the world’s first regenagri certified tea estate at Halgolla.
BEYOND INDUSTRY NORMS Hayleys’ approach moves beyond compliance, integrating landscape level planning to reconnect fragmented habitats – from the Kirulu corridor adjacent to Horton Plains to the St. Clair and Elbedda Ridge corridors.
Partnerships with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT), universities and government agencies enable biodiversity mapping, species monitoring and high conservation value assessments.
Native plant nurseries within estates ensure ecological suitability while reducing reliance on external suppliers. Funding models bring together corporates, NGOs and communities to co-invest in conservation, ensuring scale and longevity.
Rajadurai asserts: “We have proven that science, community engagement and regenerative agriculture can work together to deliver measurable, landscape wide biodiversity recovery.”
TANGIBLE OUTCOMES Over 160 hectares of degraded habitats and riparian buffers have been restored with native vegetation recovery rates reaching between 80 and 85 percent in key projects. More than 230,000 native and shade trees have been planted in three years, benefiting downstream water users and enhancing carbon sequestration.
In the Hatton region, over 40 leopards from four generations have been identified in restored corridors. Community engagement has been equally strong with over 2,000 volunteer hours and livelihoods created through nursery management, planting and biodiversity monitoring.
These achievements have strengthened brand equity, secured Rs. 5.2 million in multi-stakeholder funding and positioned Hayleys as a sustainability leader in global tea markets.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Steep slopes, degraded soils and invasive species initially slowed restoration efforts. Hayleys countered these challenges through soil enrichment, manual removal of invasive and pioneer species planting. Community concerns over land use changes were addressed through early engagement and integrating livelihood opportunities.
“Biodiversity restoration succeeds when it is embedded in regenerative business models that align ecological outcomes with tangible benefits for people,” he emphasises.
By 2030, Hayleys aims to restore an additional 150 hectares, plant over 500,000 native trees, expand wildlife corridors and embed biodiversity monitoring through digital mapping. These priorities align with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Rajadurai concludes: “Investing in nature is not charity; it is strategy. It delivers measurable environmental gains, builds brand equity and strengthens your social licence to operate.”
Telephone 2627000 | Email info@cau.hayleys.com | Website www.hayleys.com/plantations
