For environmental conservation:

HSBC partners World Vision

World Vision and HSBC recently launched a unique partnership to protect the Kalpitiya bar reef and preserve the natural heritage which is the largest and most diverse coral formation in Sri Lanka.

The bar reef had been declared a marine sanctuary in1992, with an area reserve of 306.7 square km, that is home to 156 species of coral and 283 species of tropical fish. It is a popular tourist destination for diving, dolphin and whale watching.

"This project is very much aligned to our strategy of protecting and preserving the environment and natural habitat of marine life. The bar reef is the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka and HSBC together with World Vision Lanka, look forward to this initiative that would help pave the way for generations to enjoy its rich biodiversity and marine life, while providing alternative livelihoods to the people in the area," said Nick Nicolaou, Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Sri Lanka and the Maldives. "Protection of the environment is a special theme across all World Vision's programmes and we are delighted to partner with HSBC in this key venture, which is a great model of partnerships between development organizations and corporates," said Suresh Bartlett, World Vision Lanka's National Director.

Besides being a major tourist attraction, the Kalpitiya bar reef also provides fishermen with their livelihoods as it functions as the breeding center for fish. However, the reef is under threat from natural enemies as well as human activity.

Recent threats to its ecosystem have been identified as over-exploitation of fish resources caused by unsuitable fishing methods, including using dynamite to catch fish inside the corals, deep purse-seining which damage the coral and deplete fish resources; and pollution from human activities such as agriculture, fishing and improper tourism. The overall project would encompass three phases covering 'education' (promotion and development of community based awareness and education related to conservation), 'livelihoods' (improvement of livelihoods aligned to environment friendly techniques) and 'partnering with other stakeholders' (institutionalization of socio-economic and environment initiatives through partnership).

HSBC has initiated several projects that focus on both education and the environment. Past projects include entrepreneurship education, English language training, undergraduate scholarship programmes, computer literacy programme, setting up libraries in the Southern province, supporting clean-up projects in Horton Plains and Sri Pada, preserving the rich culture and heritage of the Colombo National Museum and helping to regenerate a tropical rain forest in Mahausakande.