Sri Lankan conglomerate DIMO recently marked the successful completion of its Life to Reef initiative, a multi-year programme dedicated to reviving the coral ecosystem of the world renowned Bonavista Reef in Rumassala, Sri Lanka. DIMO takes pride in spearheading this iconic project, which is fuelling the dreams and aspirations of the communities it serves.

The project yielded significant positive environmental, social and economic impacts, and serves as a blueprint for future endeavours aiming to safeguard critical marine habitats. Beyond its business boundaries with the Life to Reef project, DIMO underscores the importance of holistic approaches in addressing environmental challenges while reaping tangible benefits for communities.

Project overview

Located at the base of the majestic Rumassala mountain, the Bonavista coral reef stands out as the pinnacle of Sri Lanka’s marine biodiversity. The reef boasts an impressive array of aquatic life, making it a sanctuary for marine species.

In the wake of the devastating El Niño events in 1998 and 2016 that led to the destruction of 95 percent of the live coral cover in the Bonavista Reef, DIMO initiated the Life to Reef project in 2017, aligning with its sustainability agenda goal of achieving a 1:1 restoration ratio by 2030 under its environmental pillar focussed on conserving a living planet.

Endorsing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – life below water – as declared by the UN, DIMO served as the only funding partner, collaborating with Wildlife & Ocean Resource Conservation (WORC) as the implementation and conservation partner of the project. The overarching goal was to restore the biodiversity of the Bonavista Reef to its former pristine state.

The approach

In contrast to conventional methods, WORC – DIMO’s implementation partner – meticulously identified suitable areas and coral species that tend to colonise and propagate naturally within the vicinity, obviating the need for widespread nubbin planting.

In tandem with this, the project has placed significant emphasis on identifying coral species that are well-suited to the prevailing environmental conditions of the area before restoration activities.

Careful consideration has been given to selecting branching coral varieties that grow as branches, thus creating an optimal habitat for various fish species. This strategic selection not only facilitates coral growth but also fosters a flourishing ecosystem by enhancing biodiversity.

Restoration process

The restoration process involved mounting coral nubbins onto dead reefs or stones using a special cement mix and then planting them underwater using professional divers. In areas lacking suitable surfaces, WORC constructed structures from cement and dead coral for mounting nubbins.

In addition to this, methods such as concrete plates, steel racks and nursery racks for coral mounting were used to facilitate volunteer participation, and these plates and racks were then placed underwater by professional divers.

Different coral species were not placed together to prevent inconsistencies in reef development when the rack deteriorates. Steel racks housed corals of the same species, facilitating fast spread while nursery racks were used for fragile nubbins, offering them protection during growth.

The crucial aspect was post-planting care, which included cleaning the reef, removing dead coral, and preventing damage from fishing nets, polythene and algae. This post-planting care involved local volunteers and tourists, fostering a sense of ownership.

Since 2017, over 3,500 nubbins have been planted in Rumassala, with nubbins sourced from natural breakage and human activities like abandoned fishing nets collected during reef cleaning.

Environmental impact

The biodiversity of the Rumassala coral reef has undergone a significant transformation as a result of the Life to Reef project. These coral species now stand as colonies, ranging in height from 10 to 15 centimetres, thereby creating natural habitats conducive to diverse marine life while expanding into a 3.5 acre area.

Before the project commenced, records from WORC indicated the presence of merely four butterflyfish species within the reef; post-restoration, this number has surged to an impressive 13 species. Following the El Niño events, WORC observed only a single species of angelfish within the reef. This has multiplied to four distinct species.

WORC now witnesses an abundance of approximately 250 fish species thriving within the reef. The project has effectively restored 30 coral species, representing four families of the 184 coral species native to Sri Lanka as identified by WORC.

The return of turtle species like green turtles, loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles further underscores the project’s success, as these animals rely on coral reefs for food and shelter.

Furthermore, the frequent sightings of fish shoals within the reef serve as evidence of the flourishing biodiversity resulting from the project.

Social impact

The regenerated reef has attracted more tourists, leading to improved livelihoods for local communities. They have established businesses like snorkel kit rentals and food stalls catering to these tourists, enhancing their quality of life.

Furthermore, the project raised awareness about the importance of coral reef conservation, encouraging responsible behaviour from local communities to protect the reef for future generations.

Economic impact

Due to the revival of tourism in the area, travel companies now offer snorkelling, diving and volunteer opportunities, promoting responsible tourism that contributes to sustainable economic growth.

– Compiled by Yamini Sequeira
COMPANY DETAILS

Telephone: 2449797 | Email: dimo@dimolanka.com  | Website: www.dimolanka.com