NDB Bank employees volunteered their time and effort recently, taking part in Mangrove Restoration Work at the ‘Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary’.  This project ‘Life to Our Mangroves’ is a long term initiative of the Bank done in partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL).

Initiated in 2022, the project is a Nature-based Solution (NbS) that will generate multiple environmental as well as socio-economic benefits. Guided by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Wayamba University (WUSL), the restoration activities are being conducted using scientific principles, to enhance ecological functions, habitat quality, species diversity, and capacity to provide biodiversity and ecosystem services that are in close approximation to what prevailed before it was converted to the present state.

Volunteers of the Bank under the leadership of Director/CEO Dimantha Seneviratne, joined by members of the ‘The Leadership Team’ and ‘Corporate Sustainability Committee’, engaged in the planting of mangroves and assisted in a floral survey for research purposes. The Bank volunteers were joined by the officials from (BSL), (DWC), & (WUSL) who conducted an awareness programme educating the NDB Team on the importance of mangrove restoration and the progress of the project to date. The Bank plans to give many more opportunities for employees to volunteer for this project.

A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. Known as the ‘Lungs of the Sea’, mangrove ecosystems provide critical services for the maintenance and wellbeing of global biodiversity.

Mangroves are an important tool in the fight against climate change - absorbing Carbon Dioxide and reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Known as ‘Carbon Sinks’ - they take up to five times more Carbon out of the atmosphere than forests on land and play a key role in weathering climate change impacts such as storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis while mitigating its causes.

With their dense network of roots and surrounding vegetation, they filter and trap sediments, heavy metals, and other pollutants, helping increase the quality & clarity of water.

Mangroves are a valuable ecological and economic resource to Sri Lanka, helping in achieving ‘National Biodiversity Conservation’ and ‘Climate Action Goals’.

Projects such as this strategically align with the Bank’s sustainability projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, whist underscoring the Bank’s commitment to responsible business practices and sustainable value creation.

NDB Bank is the fourth largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka. The Bank emerged as the Most Awarded Corporate in Sri Lanka in 2022 for the second consecutive year, as per the annual rankings of Sri Lankan publication LMD. The Bank was adjudged as the Best Bank in Sri Lanka 2022 by Global Finance USA and Euro money in their annual best bank awards programmes. Additionally, The Bank was named one of the "Top 50 Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka 2022" by Great Place To Work, USA. NDB is the parent company of the NDB Group comprising NDB capital markets subsidiary companies, together forming a unique banking and capital market services group. The Bank is committed to empowering the nation and its people through meaningful financial and advisory services, powered by digital banking solutions.

Image caption : NDB Bank senior management and employees at the ‘Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary’ for the ‘Life to Our Mangroves’ project.