Insee Cement in a bid to conserve nature, launched the second phase of its coral restoration endeavour recently, in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Moratuwa University and the Navy.
The company commenced coral reef restoration in 2009 in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The restoration project commenced with the IUCN placing concrete structures in the Unawatuna area. The initiative resulted in 25 coral colonies being established on those structures.
They obtained technical consultancy from the French Coastal Oceanographer Thomas Le Berre, a well-known in coral reef growing projects for the second phase of the project.
The traditional concrete structures were replaced by coated steel structures with advantages for coral reef restoration for the first time in Sri Lanka.
The Navy divers supported Insee Cement Lanka’s project by placing the structures on the bottom of the sea bed and continues to monitor the progress of restoration to safeguard the coral reef.
Insee Cement Lanka Chief Executive Officer Nandana Ekanayake recalled how the tsunami in 2004 affected the southern coastal belt.
“Our efforts are helping to make this delicate underwater ecosystem thrive again. Coral reefs are also destroyed by human activity and we’re aware of the need to protect and rebuild these reefs to minimise land erosion and enhance coastal biodiversity,” he said.
Coral reefs are endangered and many have been destroyed as a result of man-made and natural threats.