Our story
abutting a conserved rain forest, the project was designed to experiment with the idea of regenerating a tropical rain forest
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Nestled beneath a stretch of conserved forest (250 hectares) known as the Bambaragala Mookalana, Mahausakande has an altitudinal range of 80-1100 m above MSL covering an area of about 24 hectares (60 acres) of neglected rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Part of the estate (10 acres) is currently being managed, while the rest has been abandoned. It receives an annual rainfall of over 4000 mm. Several streams run across the estate and sustain man made ponds.
Our activities
- Restoring a tropical rainforest in a scientific manner through the active support and involvement of local communities
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods and healthy lifestyles among local communities in order to ensure continuous support for conservation activities.
- Promoting conservation, education and awareness as part of an integral and holistic program on healthy lifestyles.
- Promoting the project through eco-tourism
- Sharing experiences and extending best practices to encourage replication of similar activities in other areas within the Wet Zone of Sri Lanka.
- Research
As a whole the project is aimed at conserving the rich and unique bio-diversity in Sri Lanka, and providing economic benefits to local communities, through eco-tourism and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, while uplifting their family life through the adoption of healthy life styles.
The newly re-forested area would increase the current extent of the adjoining Bambaragala forest reserve, a tropical rainforest, and strengthen the sustenance of bio-diversity and related eco-system services. The project site also serves as an exceptional resource center to promote healthy lifestyles and environmental education and awareness among school children as well as among general public, while serving as a model that could be replicated elsewhere in the region.
Additionally, contribution towards mitigating the problems of global warming and climate change will be the outstanding benefit of the project where the regenerated area would facilitate carbon sequestration.
The other major significance of the project is the employment opportunities it will generate for about 50 women and their families living in the Hindurangala village. In addition, the Mahausakanda site will be developed as an Environment Awareness Centre that will be used to conduct environmental awareness programmes.
The project also aims to promote applied research to the conservation of rainforests and other ecosystems, whilst sharing environmental best practices, which have been implemented in similar projects in other parts of the world. This will encourage reforestation in other areas within the wet zone of Sri Lanka.
The project also aims to promote applied research to the conservation of rainforests and other ecosystems, whilst sharing environmental best practices, which have been implemented in similar projects in other parts of the world. This will encourage reforestation in other areas within the wet zone of Sri Lanka.
Our Founder
For 30 years Nalini Ellawala was a social activist, engaging in community service and establishing several non- governmental organisations. While doing so it became increasingly clear to her that the concept of holistic health and well-being should be at the core of all educational programmes.
It was not until her 65th year, however, that she was able to reach out for this total fulfilment. Looking
for a platform where she could share her personal philosophy of life without being accountable to anyone, she found Mahausakande, emerging from the hills and presenting itself as the ultimate destination for someone who had spent a lifetime admiring the fauna and the flora of the emerald isle of Sri Lanka
Now in her 85th year, Nalini Ellawala describes herself as a lover of trees, a protector of the environment and turns to Mahausakande as the temple which meets with her spiritual needs.
The Ellawala Foundation Trust
Mahausakande is funded by the Ellawala Foundation Trust. The Board consists of the members who are all committed to the conservation and regeneration of tropical rain forests in the region.
Partners
Previously HSBC, in a bid to preserve the environment in a responsible manner, entered into a partnership with the Ellawala Foundation Trust to regenerate a tropical rain forest in Mahausakande in the Sabaragamuwa province. This landmark initiative, which was announced on 7 February 2008, seeked to create a natural habitat for indigenous species and benefit the livelihood of local communities residing in the Kiriella area.
HSBC organised a photography exhibition on the 22 September 2011 at the Lionel Wendt. The exhibition will showcased captured images of the rich biodiversity of a regenerating tropical rainforest in Mahausakande
Honorary consultants
Many consultants have visited the project to give our staff further insights in to the primary objective of the project, promoting a healthy life style through conservation.
- Dr.Channa Bambaradeniya – Honorary consultant/Ecologist
- Dr.Manoj Fernando – Honorary consultant /Community Educator
- Dr.Diyanath Samarasinghe – Social Activist
- Dr.Asanga Wijetunga – Honorary Consultant/Botanist
- Ms.Asela Abeywardena – Human Resources
- Ms.Therese de Silva – Ecologist
- Ms.Nalini Ellawala – Coordinator