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Hiniduma Bio-link

Hiniduma, located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, is a mixed agricultural community surrounded by one the island’s last few remaining rainforest ecosystems. The “Hiniduma Bio-link Project” aims to establish a biodiversity corridor between two large remnant disturbed rainforest patches – Singharaja (UNESCO World Heritage Site) & Kanneliya (International Man and Biosphere Reserve), and to conserve buffer zones around the forest edges through reforestation.

 

The primary aim of this project is to reduce the pressure by local communities in the surrounding areas on the remaining rainforest patches, whilst enhancing the livelihoods of traditional communities living in close proximity to tracts of natural forest where the biodiversity is high, but under imminent threat. As a byproduct, the Carbon Dioxide sequestered through this project generates carbon credits that are sold as voluntary carbon credits in the local and international carbon markets, the proceeds of which are diverted back into the project to ensure its continuation.

 

This project, follows the Plan Vivo Standard – the longest standing and most established forestry carbon accounting standard in the world that aims to support rural smallholder communities manage their natural resources more sustainably, with a view to generating livelihood and ecosystem benefits. This project is also the first ever carbon credit generation project to have been certified by Plan Vivo in the Asian region, and the field level verification done by a third-party forestry expert from the UK. The carbon credits are registered under a well-known registry called the Markit Registry.

Project Summary

2,000 hectares

proposed land for the corridor

Over 12,000 trees planted

as of 2016

benefits

  • Establishment of mixed species forest trees on underutilized lands with where there is minimal biodiversity

  • By increasing the forest cover, increase the wildlife habitat and improve the arboreal movements of animals using the bio-link

  • Income diversification for farmers through non-timber forest products (NTFP’s) as medicine, fruits, shading material, livestock feeding, etc

  • Income generating schemes by selling compost and practicing organic farming

sdg aligned

Climate Action Image
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CLIMATE ACTION

Reforestation and long-term maintenance of trees, along with community training and awareness programmes are just a few of the actions that can be taken to combat the negative impacts of climate change.

 

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CLEAN WATER

The project focuses on native and endemic plant and forest species. This diverse forest cover in the area has the ability to improve groundwater availability, resulting in the replenishment of springs and contributes to clean water for downstream water use.

Life on and Image
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LIFE ON LAND

The trees planted provide direct and indirect resources for surrounding eco-systems, provide biodiversity corridors and also prevent soil erosion and loss of habitats for numerous species.

Livelihood Image
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LIVELIHOOD

Renumeration for local farmers to plant trees provides them with  additional income and helps alleviate poverty. Revenue from the project also improves livelihoods, provides farmer training and empowers women in rural regions.

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