Browns Hotels and Resorts leads Mangrove Conservation with stamp release

In a significant step towards environmental conservation, Club Hotel Dolphin, Waikkal part of Browns Hotels & Resorts, launched a one-of-a-kind awareness stamp in collaboration with the Postal Department of Sri Lanka, coinciding with World Tourism Day on September 27.

This initiative aims to further promote the property’s Nipa Palm Conservation Project launched last month, which focuses on protecting the endangered Nipa Palm (Nypafruticans) along the Gin Oya riverbanks.

The event featured an informative presentation highlighting the importance of preserving mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of local biodiversity, along with a speech by Professor Sevvandi Jayakody, a member of the National Mangrove Expert Committee and the National Mangrove Task Force, who also serves as Chair Professor of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at Wayamba University.

The First Day Cover and stamp were officially unveiled by Rajitha Ranasinghe, Senior Deputy Postmaster Generaland Lanka de Silva, Director of the Philatelic Bureau, marking an important moment in raising awareness and highlighting the significance of the Nipa Mangrove Conservation Project.

The event was attended by distinguished guests; Nishantha Edirisinghe, Conservator General of Forest; Graham Marshall, President of the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society; Manjula Amararathna, Director of Protected Area Management at the Wildlife Department, and other key figures in environmental preservation. The collaborative spirit demonstrated at the event highlighted the collective commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s unique ecosystems.

General Manager Thurashat Niyathapala commented, “This ambitious programme is underpinned by a comprehensive five-year plan that includes awareness sessions, the installation of signage, careful nurturing and ongoing monitoring. We are committed to ensuring that each step is taken with the utmost careand this project will play a significant role in preventing erosion along the vulnerable Gin Oya riverbanks, which have faced significant degradation over the years.”

“The Nipa Palm Conservation Project, undertaken with guidance from the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) and the Wayamba University, involves the planting and nurturing of 500 Nipa Palm seeds in a dedicated nursery at the hotel premises as part of the first phase. The newly launched stamp features an illustration of the Nipa Palm, symbolising the critical importance of this species in fostering and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Sri Lanka’s mangrove ecosystems. This stamp will be used on postcards and postal material related to Browns Hotels & Resorts, helping to spread the message of conservation throughout Sri Lanka. Through this stamp launch, Browns Hotels & Resorts seeks to engage the public in the vital mission of conserving the Nipa Palm and its surrounding environment.

Browns Hotels & Resorts CEO Eksath Wijeratne stated; “At Browns Hotels & Resorts, we recognise our duty to safeguard and preserve Sri Lanka’s natural environments. The Nipa Palm Conservation Project is a key component of our broader commitment to conserving endangered mangrove species. Through sustained efforts, we aim to ensure that the ecosystems we value continue to thrive for future generations.”