Adding something back to the environment
View(s):Upholding the going- green concept, Ocean Lanka plants their very own model forest at the launch of two new biomass boilers
By Shaveen Jeewandara
Going green has become an imperative change taken up by factories over the turn of the decade, with many choosing to switch from oil fuelled boilers to the relatively less expensive biomass boilers. Yet, many fail to make the connection to the fact that trees are the primary feed for biomass boilers – with the felling of trees to fuel the need, the green concept is lost in its entirety.
At Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd however, this issue has been practically addressed with a reforestation project – the brainchild of Major (Retd) Nalaka Buddhadasa, AGM of Ocean Lanka.
“The idea here is to grow a forest as a CSR project even though we only use rubber wood logs for our boilers. This way we make sure that we add something back to the environment that we live in,” says MD of Ocean Lanka, Simon Weston. Mr. Weston was speaking at a ceremony held recently which saw the two new biomass boilers installed and the declaration of their very own model forest.
Ocean Lanka is situated in the Biyagama Export Processing Zone, and is a joint establishment under Fountain Set Holding, Brandix Lanka and Hirdaramani Group, focussing mainly on weft knitted fabrics, printing and dyeing of fabric. The new boilers will only use rubber wood and sawdust as a source of fuel – aiming at slashing excessive needs.
The biomass boilers which produce an output of about 12 tonnes of steam per hour are two giant powerhouses set against the backdrop of an innovative green initiative. “The idea behind switching over to the biomass boilers was due to the ever increasing prices of furnace oil,” Mr. Weston explained. “We wanted to find an alternative, but also one that would uphold the green principle.” Biomass is not entirely a foolproof switchover, but with reforestation the intimate balance of trees is not lost in the aim of producing energy. “The conversion should be feasible, it should be green while not hindering the energy output at the same time,” he stated.
“A lot of companies have unfortunately converted without the idea of giving back to the environment that we take our necessities from, this is the wrong that we have sought to put right.”
Major(Retd) Nalaka Buddhadasa expressed his views on the long term goals and ambitions of the project- “The idea of growing a model forest inside our own premises was to foster a sustainable spirit amongst the staff,” he said. “It’s only when you promote that spirit that you can go ahead with a sustainable approach on the longer run.”
The planting of the model forest indeed saw the minor staff as well as the executives happily getting their hands dirty together for a cause – seeing a greener workplace and a greener tomorrow. It was a moment of truth for the Management of Ocean Lanka as it symbolized the beginning of a green empowered workforce.
The model forest was declared open by the Managing Director of Ocean Lanka Simon Weston and the Biyagama Free Trade Zone Director M.K.D. Lawrence. Deputy General Manager Andrew Claughton, Panduka Adikaram and the Chairman of BIMS Nihal Dharmasiri were present at the event. This was done with the collaboration of BMIS and A&I Firewood suppliers.
A good 10 km away from the main factory the group saw the plant nursery that would produce saplings for numerous reforestation projects the company is involved in. “The idea is to grow the saplings in this 1.5 acre plot and then replant them in land that is deforested in various parts of the island including in the north and east,” said Major(Retd) Buddhadasa.
The nursery will have 25,000 saplings which will be allowed to grow over the span of 6-12 months before relocation to the deforested areas in the country “It is a double win situation where the cleared lands gain forest cover while we obtain our supply in the meantime,” he said. Going green the proper way is the ultimate aim.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus