Supporting waste management in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) and Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve (PWNR)

Project title: Supporting waste management in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) and Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve (PWNR)

Location: Horton Plains National Park and Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve

Duration: 11 Months (Apr 2021 – Jan 2022)

Project Background

Waste management is an essential service to ensure the continuity of the conservation value of the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) and Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve (PWNR). These two locations are managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) of the Government of Sri Lanka and known to have high visitor numbers.

For example, the PWNR is being visited by about 3 million visitors every year. The waste management has been a challenge due to resources and high visitation pressure. As such the HSBC Bank joined DWC with IUCN as the facilitator to provide support to manage waste in a timely manner.

The HSBC Bank also supported to maintain the “directional and technical information” boards at different locations of HPNP, in addition to the support for waste management.

Key issues affecting the ecosystems of HPNP and PWNR based on preliminary work include the lack of:

1. Lack of coordinated management systems for plastic and other waste
2. Need to take the bottles to the PWNR to carry water as safe drinking water is not available
3. In adequate knowledge on potential ecosystem damages due to waste related pollution among visitors
4. Uncontrolled visitation leading to high pressure in cleaning operations

As such, this short-term project was developed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and IUCN to develop an approach to ensure the long-term sustainability of the HPNP and PWNR conservational value by improving waste management and visitor information services.

Objectives of the project

1. Minimize plastic and other waste pollution.
2. Promote partnerships among business towards a sustainable waste management
3. Develop a sustainable approach to continue visitor information support and waste management

Expected Outputs

• Self-sustaining value added low-carbon system to maintain the conservation value of HPNP and PWNR

Donor/s:  HSBC

Partner/s: Department of Wildlife Conservation