Author: Nathasha Silva
Remote Sensing to Support Sustainable Tea Plantations
As part of our efforts to explore smarter, more sustainable ways of working in the plantation sector, we recently welcomed Prof. Andrew Robson and Craig Shephard from the University of New England, Australia. Their work with us began during a visit in October last year, with an initial focus on improving productivity at Kahawatte Plantations. The idea was to begin gathering field-level data, to create digital maps and generate insights that could help forecast and plan more effectively. This recent session held at Genesis by Dilmah, on their second visit, was an opportunity to share the progress made since that first visit and to open up the conversation to a wider audience across the plantation sector. It focused on how GIS mapping and remote sensing can support better decision-making, more efficient use of resources, and improved environmental resilience on the ground. These tools offer practical applications, from mapping and planning to monitoring changes over time, while helping safeguard the landscapes that tea depends on. Organised in collaboration with Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, the University of New England, Kahawatte Plantations, the Agriculture Innovation Nucleus, Dilmah Conservation, and Genesis, the session encouraged knowledge-sharing and cross-sector collaboration. The goal is to keep building on this momentum, linking technology with sustainability to support both environmental and financial resilience in the years ahead.
A rare Sri Lankan plant, found again!
After being overlooked for years, Memecylon elegantulum – a rare plant found only in Sri Lanka has been confirmed as a unique species, thanks to fieldwork carried out in the Dilmah Endane Biodiversity Corridor. This discovery highlights just how important our efforts to restore nature really are. It helps protect not only what we know, but also what we’re still discovering in Sri Lanka’s hidden plant world. The rediscovery was made possible by the amazing work of Amila Perera, Dr. Himesh Jayasinghe, Bhathiya Gopallawa, Isuru Madawala, Prof. Nimal Gunatilleke, and Prof. Nalaka Geekiyanage. The Memecylon plant group is one of the least studied in Sri Lanka, with many rare species we still don’t know much about. This study has given detailed information, photos, and clearer identification for two of these little-known plants. M. elegantulum species, part of the Melastomataceae family, stands out with its white flowers and long flower stalks. It’s now known to be different from the more common M. rostratum, which grows widely in Sri Lanka’s wet zone. But M. elegantulum seems to only grow in the Ratnapura District, making this find even more special. The Endane Biodiversity Corridor set up by Dilmah Tea, the Franklinia Foundation, and Rajarata University aims to restore old tea land and reconnect two forest reserves. So far, it’s not only brought back greenery but also helped uncover rare species like this one that may have stayed hidden otherwise. This discovery is proof of how valuable these restoration efforts really are. Read the full research paper here: https://lnkd.in/gfBDb2ys
Exploring Biodiversity for a Greener Future at Dunkeld Estate
Here are some captures taken during our most recent biodiversity survey! A comprehensive biodiversity survey was conducted across the field area at our Dunkeld estate – nestled on the tranquil banks of the Castlereagh Reservoir, known for its high-grown Ceylon Tea. What exactly is a biodiversity survey, and why does it matter? A biodiversity survey is a systematic way of recording the variety of living species; plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms within a particular area. These surveys help us understand the current state of an ecosystem, identify threats, and spot opportunities for restoration. This survey conducted by Dilmah Conservation with an expert team led by Conservation Biologist, Mr. Rukmal Ratnayake, revealed the area supports a surprisingly rich species diversity despite anthropogenic pressure from fragmentation and cultivation. However, the presence of a high concentration of invasive floral species poses a threat to the native flora and the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. In regions like Dunkeld, where parts of the land are challenged by invasive plants, biodiversity surveys are even more important as they offer important insight into what can be saved, restored, or reimagined. By understanding what species exist and how they interact, we can now make informed decisions about land use, conservation planning, and nature-based experiences that are rich in ecological learning and meaningful in their impact. In collaboration with Resplendent Ceylon, this survey serves as a meaningful step in exploring the estate’s potential for eco-tourism blending its rich tea heritage with conservation and community wellbeing. It supports a vision of reimagining the estate not merely as a plantation, but as a space to reconnect with nature.
From Carbon Neutral to Climate Responsible
We are excited to announce that Dilmah’s climate targets have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – a global body that drives ambitious climate action in the private sector. Carbon neutral being an option chosen by companies to mark their sustainability, involves offsetting emissions (compensating for what they emit by supporting external environmental projects). While offsets have value, they don’t always ensure that emissions are actually reduced at the source. Science-based targets are different.They are aligned with the most up-to-date climate science and set clear, measurable goals to reduce emissions directly across a company’s entire value chain. Validated by independent experts, these targets ensure that our efforts contribute meaningfully to the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. In short: they hold us accountable, where it counts. It’s about: Our Climate Commitments We’ve set both near-term and long-term goals to drive climate action across our operations and supply chain: By FY2049 (Net-Zero Target Year): By FY2031 (Near-Term Goals): By FY2049 (Long-Term Goals): *FLAG = Forest, Land and Agriculture What This Means for Dilmah and the Planet This milestone marks a shift from offsetting to real reductions. It’s a move anchored in science, driven by data, and focused on what truly matters: creating measurable climate impact and safeguarding the future of our planet. As we move forward, every cup of Dilmah tea will carry a deeper purpose, not just in flavour and quality, but in climate responsibility.
A National Call to Inspire Action through the Lens
One Earth: Unveiling Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity – A National Call for Conservation Through the Lens To raise awareness and celebrate the wonder of our environment, Dilmah Conservation proudly launches One Earth: Unveiling Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity – a national photography and videography competition open to all Sri Lankans. Whether you’re a professional, a hobbyist, or simply a nature lover with a smartphone, this is your chance to tell nature’s story. Sri Lanka is home to an extraordinary range of biodiversity. But as climate change and human activities intensify, this rich natural heritage faces growing threats pushing countless species closer to extinction. Nature speaks if you truly look and listen, Sometimes in silence – in the quiet disappearance of a species, the return of birdsong to a once-silent forest, or the careful steps of a predator searching shrinking ground. Every sound, every silence, is part of the story of biodiversity under pressure, and resilience. But ‘What we fail to see, we often fail to protect’. That’s why this competition invites you to look closer, not just to admire the beauty of nature, but to feel its fragility, urgency, and worth. What makes it special?A single photograph can stir emotion, ignite curiosity, and shift perspectives, but we also know that some moments can’t be captured in stillness alone. That’s why One Earth: Unveiling Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity includes videography submissions, allowing participants to showcase the sights and sounds of the wild – the motion, mood, and melody of life in its truest form. Through this initiative, we aim to: While you take a step to inspire others and speak up for nature, your work will also be rewarded, with winning entries featured in a national exhibition and receive prizes collectively valued at LKR 3 Million. Five categories to choose from 1. Life in a Changing WorldCapture biodiversity navigating climate change and human pressures. Shine a light on the urgency to protect what remains. 2. NightlifeReveal the hidden world of nocturnal species — mysterious, elusive, and often unseen. This category celebrates the life that awakens when we sleep. 3. Hidden WondersFocus on rare and threatened species from the IUCN Red List. The more we know, the more we care. Awareness is a step toward action. 4. Biodiversity in Your BackyardFrom your garden to your windowsill — nature is all around. This category encourages everyday encounters with urban or domestic biodiversity, proving you don’t need to go far to find wonder. 5. WaterscapesDive into the beauty and importance of aquatic life and wetland ecosystems — habitats that support biodiversity and life itself. 6. Video Category – Sights & Sounds of BiodiversitySubmit short videos under any of the above themes. This format allows you to bring to life nature’s voice — in sound, movement, and mood. 7. People’s Choice (Non-submission)The shortlisted entries will be showcased online for public voting. The most resonant stories — the ones that speak to hearts — will receive special recognition. Dilmah Conservation has long been committed to protecting Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity, caring for elephants, butterflies, pollinators, the ecosystems they depend on and more. Through One Earth, we’re opening up that mission to the public, giving everyone a way to connect with nature and share its story in a powerful new way. Every photo, every sound, and every moment captured could inspire someone to take action, change a habit, or simply pause and care. So grab your camera, step outside, and let nature tell its story through you.For more details and submission guidelines: Click here
Unveiling the Top 50
It was no easy task, but after careful deliberation, our expert panel – Dr. Himesh Jayasinghe (Founder, Butterfly Conservation Society of Sri Lanka / Nature Photographer / Research Fellow, NIFS), Mr. Divanka Randula (Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya / Wildlife Photographer), and Mr. Vimukthi Weeratunga (Wildlife Biologist / Nature Photographer) – have selected the top 50 entries. And here they are! P.S.: Entries were anonymised and judged by code for an unbiased selection.
5 Years into Beekeeping
Dilmah Conservation launched ‘Bee a Keeper’ in May 2020 to promote the sustainable use of bees in agriculture and related ecosystems. The Rationale You’ve probably heard about food scarcity and how climate change is often blamed as the main cause. While climate change certainly has a serious impact, there’s more to the story. One of the often-overlooked reasons behind food scarcity is the loss of pollinators. Pollinator decline affects approximately 35% of the world’s crop production. –Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pollinators like bees are struggling with rising temperatures, shifting flowering seasons, unpredictable and extreme weather- all of which disrupt their food sources and pollination timing. On top of that, human actions make things worse. Did you know? In many rural areas in Sri Lanka, honey is still collected by cutting open wild bee hives built inside tree trunks, crevices, or other natural shelters. This process often involves: This leaves the hive damaged or even destroyed. The inception The project began with a two-fold purpose: to help conserve local honeybees and create sustainable livelihoods. Research plays a key role in the Bee A Keeper project. More research on bees is conducted at the Endane Field Research Station. Established in 2021, our Endane Field Research Centre is the project Hub for ‘Bee A Keeper’. The Core of Its Sustainability Through sustainable beekeeping we support bees, protect their colonies, and only collect what they can spare. It’s done through bee boxes. Bee boxes, or beekeeping boxes, provide a structured, non-invasive, and sustainable way to harvest honey. These boxes: The present shape of ‘Bee A Keeper’ Providing bee boxes and training is just the start. Real impact comes from understanding hive dynamics. Detailed studies show that the queen bee drives the colony’s health and success. That’s where our bee research comes into play. Way forward At the One Earth Climate Change Centre in Nawalapitiya, bee research remains a core focus. With Endane leading the ‘Bee A Keeper’ project, the centre has grown into a key hub for bee-related research and education. We’ve also expanded the project in new ways: In Moratuwa – Partnering with universities to bring bee knowledge to future planners and researchers In the Eastern Province – Providing training and tools to indigenous communities, helping preserve their traditions while improving livelihoods sustainably. This is about building a mutual relationship:We create safe spaces for bees, and in return, they help us grow food, protect ecosystems, and fight climate change. Bees aren’t just part of nature — they are partners in keeping life going.
The Biodiversity of Dilmah’s Windsor Forest Tea Estate: More Than What Meets the Eye
When we think of rich biodiversity, dense rainforests or untouched national parks come to mind. Managed landscapes like tea estates are often seen as monocultures – neat rows of tea bushes with little life in between. But our recent biodiversity assessment at the Windsor Forest Estate reveals a more nuanced story. When nature is integrated and biodiversity is supported, even cultivated landscapes can serve as important refuges for countless species — showing that agricultural land doesn’t have to be barren to be productive. Windsor Forest Estate is a Dilmah estate in Sri Lanka, known for its high-quality, mid-grown Ceylon tea. It’s a garden mark for the Galamuduna Estate, located 22 kilometers from Nawalapitiya. The estate’s name is derived from an unusual rock at the top of a hill. It’s also said to be the 7th tea factory to be registered in Ceylon. Conducted by Dilmah Conservation with an expert team led by Conservation Biologist, Mr. Rukmal Ratnayake to support possible upcoming eco-tourism initiatives in the area, this study has offered vital insights for conservation, habitat restoration, and long-term sustainability. Biodiversity Hidden in Plain Sight The assessment recorded a remarkable 407 species of fauna, including 277 vertebrates and 130 invertebrates. That’s a number many might not expect from a region associated with tea cultivation. Birds made up 122 species, but what’s truly astonishing is the diversity that lies beneath the surface – beyond the branches and the bird calls. This includes, 40 amphibians, 6 species of fish, 60 reptiles, 48 mammals, 88 butterflies, 28 odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), and 14 moths. Their presence in and around Windsor Forest shows that managed lands can be vibrant ecosystems if approached with care and vision. Endemic Richness Sri Lanka is known for its high rate of endemism, and this site is no exception: The floral diversity also stood out, with 273 species of flowering plants, including 84 endemics. Did you know?The more diverse the plant life, the more diverse the animal life. Every creature finds food, shelter, or nesting ground in different plants. A single patch of thriving vegetation can support a web of life—if we let it. Rethinking What Biodiversity Looks Like What this study shows us is that biodiversity isn’t always loud or obvious. A true picture of biodiversity includes the silent amphibians that indicate water quality, the butterflies that pollinate flowers, the reptiles that control pest populations, and the moths that feed nocturnal species. Many of these creatures go unseen, either because they are small, camouflaged, or simply active at times when humans are not. But they are no less important. Their presence (or absence) tells us about the health of an ecosystem. It’s a reminder that biodiversity is not limited to untouched wilderness. It can thrive in places like tea estates, or even managed lands like the landscaped garden at your own home, provided that these landscapes are nurtured with ecological sensitivity. Photo credits: Sanoj Wijayasekara (SW), Rukmal Ratnayake (RR)Tharindu Ranasinghe (TR) and Nuwan Chathuranga (NC) , Narmadha Dangampola (ND)