Browns Hotels and Resorts wins int’l accolade at Green Apple Environment Awards
Browns Hotels & Resorts (BHR) was recently awarded the International Gold Winner title in the Hospitality & Travel: Conservation & Wildlife category at the Green Apple Environment Awards 2024, held at Kensington Palace, London.
This recognition celebrates BHR’s exemplary mangrove conservation efforts, particularly its Ratha Milla (Lumnitzeralittorea) project, spearheaded by Thaala Bentota Resort in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The Ratha Milla, a critically endangered mangrove species native to Sri Lanka, was rediscovered in the Bentota estuary and Dedduwa lagoon after being unrecorded for over a century. Previously believed to be limited to the Madu River Ramsar Wetland, recent ecological studies have identified over 100 young plants, aged 10-20 years, marking a significant milestone in biodiversity conservation.
Launched earlier this year, the conservation project included a series of impactful initiatives such as installationof informational signage at the Bentota mangrove site to raise awareness on the vital role mangroves play in coastal ecosystems.
Browns Hotels & Resorts CEO Eksath Wijeratne shared; “At Browns Hotels & Resorts, we believe that sustainability is an integral part of how we operate and the experiences we offer. Our work on the Ratha Milla project, which has gained global recognition, is just one example of our dedication to preserving Sri Lanka’s rich natural heritage. Alongside this, we are involved in mangrove conservation in Gin Oya, managing a turtle hatchery in Mirissa and enhancing various wildlife conservation efforts across our resorts, while engaging our hotel teams, communitiesand guests.”
The Ratha Milla project is currently thriving under the leadership of Rohan Gamage, General Manager of ThaalaBentota Resort and his team, who are committed to its continued success. Patrick Fernando, Niroshan Gallage, Dilina Mendis and Nimesh Kuruvita from ThaalaBentota and BHR have been instrumental in bringing the initiative to life, from engaging with the community to implementing conservation efforts on-site. Additionally, key collaborators from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, including Wildlife Ranger, Saman Nishantha and Asanka Gunawardane, Head of the Marine Division in Hikkaduwa, have been vital in supporting the project and ensuring its success.
This international recognition highlights Browns Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to sustainability on a global stage, with the Ratha Milla project serving as a testament to BHR’s dedication to environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.
The post Browns Hotels and Resorts wins int’l accolade at Green Apple Environment Awards appeared first on DailyNews.