Sri Lanka, the resplendent island nation, has captivated travellers for hundreds of years with its gorgeous seashores, historical temples, and plush hill nation. However past the sweetness lies a newfound deal with sustainable practices, making it a haven for eco-conscious vacationers and a frontrunner in accountable tourism. My latest journey to Sri Lanka unveiled a rustic the place scrumptious meals goes hand-in-hand with environmental duty.
From Meals Security to Meals Sovereignty
The island’s journey in the direction of sustainable gastronomy started with a dedication to meals security. Collaborations with organizations like UNIDO and NORAD play an important function in establishing worldwide meals security requirements. This not solely bolstered public well being but in addition paved the way in which for a thriving meals {industry}.
Sri Lanka’s imaginative and prescient extends past mere security. The idea of “meals sovereignty” – the correct to wholesome, culturally applicable meals produced sustainably – is taking root. This empowers native communities and ensures a future the place meals safety and custom go hand-in-hand, making certain the well-being of each locals and vacationers alike.
My first encounter with the nation’s commendable sustainability endeavours was in SriLankan Airways – on my method to Sri Lanka. Richard Nuttall, the CEO of Sri Lankan Airways stated, “SriLankan Airways prioritizes decreasing its carbon footprint with industry-leading practices in gas effectivity, carbon emission monitoring, and landfill waste discount by way of our ‘Mathaka’ upcycling venture. Moreover, the airline actively participates within the restoration and preservation of Sri Lanka’s mangrove forests and the conservation of seagrass habitats throughout the island.”
Cinnamon Lodges: Pioneering Sustainable Practices
My exploration of sustainable meals programs led me to Cinnamon Lodges, a famend Sri Lankan hospitality chain. Their dedication to moral and eco-friendly practices is really inspiring.
One charming initiative is their partnership with NORDAQ. Cinnamon Bentota Seashore has turn into the primary Sri Lankan resort to get rid of plastic water bottles. Of their place? Reusable glass bottles paired with in-house filtration expertise. This not solely reduces plastic waste but in addition ensures visitors have entry to scrub, mineral-rich water. Throughout my keep, I had solely glass bottles in my room in all Cinnamon resorts. This simply reminds my journey to Sri Lanka in Sri Lankan Airways, which has launched new eco-friendly pillow covers and headrest covers (antimacassars) produced from recycled PET plastic (rPET)!
One other inspiring program is the Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) Initiative. This venture empowers small-scale farmers by offering them with data and sources for sustainable farming strategies. It is a win-win scenario: farmers acquire financial prosperity, and the hospitality {industry} advantages from contemporary, domestically sourced produce.
Defending Ecosystems
Sustainability at Cinnamon Lodges goes past the plate. Their “Bees that Maintain Lives” venture is a beekeeping initiative that empowers native communities whereas fostering wholesome bee populations. This not solely promotes biodiversity but in addition gives a supply of earnings for beneficiaries by way of a buy-back program for honey and beeswax.
Witnessing firsthand Cinnamon Nature Trails’, I spotted how nature, animals and people co-exist in concord within the village. The character path took us by way of the inside of the village, a brief boat trip to a watch home the place we have been greeted with coconut water, which we needed to drink immediately, not in a glass or with a plastic straw! Sure, that is true!
“Stay and Let Stay” initiative in Bediweva village can also be a commendable initiative. This venture tackles the Human-Elephant battle head-on by educating villagers on constructing and sustaining group fences. This not solely protects crops and houses but in addition safeguards the well-being of elephants.
Farm-to-Fork Freshness With Inexperienced Home Farming
Maybe probably the most pleasant facet of Sri Lanka’s sustainable meals scene is the “Farm to Fork” idea. Throughout my keep at Cinnamon Habarana Village, I used to be handled to a tour of their in-house Inexperienced Home. This progressive area makes use of vertical gardens and natural farming practices to domesticate a various vary of fruits, greens, and herbs, together with chillies, ardour fruit, corn, vanilla, pomegranate and dragon fruit.
One fascinating half was a separate temperature-controlled part devoted to rising lettuce, which is in any other case tough to develop within the area’s soil and temperature. Lettuce is definitely grown within the mountains however right here it was rising and thriving within the plains. And after I tried the lettuce from the backyard within the breakfast subsequent morning at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana Restaurant, I used to be impressed with the contemporary style of the greens in my salad.
The natural backyard additionally makes its personal compost from waste so as to add again to the soil to develop extra vegetation. Not simply that, additionally they present compost from the natural backyard to close by farmers to assist them develop crops.
Chef Dhananjaya Buddhika at Cinnamon Habarana Village revealed to me that the lodge practices water recycling within the in-house water remedy plant. The water from the plant can also be collected to water the crops within the dry season.
A Sustainable Future on the Plate
From making certain meals security to empowering native communities and defending ecosystems, Sri Lanka is setting a exceptional instance. As travellers searching for not simply magnificence but in addition a reference to the land, Sri Lanka presents an unforgettable expertise.
