How Deutsche Bank’s CSR initiative is contributing to Sri Lanka’s wildlife corridor restoration

Deutsche Bank is funding the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka through its PLANT initiative to protect sensitive forest patches and plant native trees. 

Why forest corridors matter for Sri Lanka’s wildlife 

Every year in different parts of Sri Lanka, hundreds of elephants move between forested areas, seeking greener pastures and water sources. These elephants and many other wildlife species in Sri Lanka depend on forest corridors to move safely between forest patches in search of water, food, breeding areas and mates. These ancient corridors have been the lifeblood of their existence. 

However, forest corridors are increasingly threatened by urbanisation, agriculture, encroachment and gem mining. Unregulated and illegal deforestation has fragmented the landscape into disconnected forest patches. This leads to increased human-wildlife conflict, the extinction of endemic species, and an overall loss of life on both sides. 

An elephant moving through the wildlife corridor

The Budunwela forest corridor project: Growing forests that endure 

In 2020, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka launched PLANT (Preserving Land And Nature (Guarantee) Limited), to acquire privately-owned lands for conservation to ensure longevity and to develop forest corridors.  

The 24-acre Budunwela forest corridor is one such area acquired. With funding from Deutsche Bank through our CSR environment initiative, PLANT is reintroducing over 2,250 native plants across 19 species to the forest corridor, prioritising survival and durability over scale. This means planting in optimal conditions, adapting to seasonal changes, and protecting young saplings from animals. Deutsche Bank is providing funding for this project from 1 September 2024 through 31 August 2025.

Monitoring and measuring Impact 

Deutsche Bank’ CSR initiative is also funding the installation of camera traps and biodiversity research to track the restoration of the Budunwela corridor and monitor poaching activities.

This intentional approach is already making a difference. Biodiversity monitoring through camera traps show that threatened species like leopards, elephants, pangolins, chevrotains, golden palm civets, and sambars are gradually returning to their habitats.

“When you see life returning to the land, it is a clear reminder that nature does not give up. It is resilient, if we give it a chance,” said Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage from PLANT.  

A leopard seen through one of the camera traps

Community-led Conservation  

The Budunwela project is deeply rooted in community involvement. Local communities are leading the fieldwork and labor, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the corridor's future. Through the bank’s funding, PLANT is also establishing a nursery for selected native species, creating jobs while deepening community ties to the land.  

“By supporting community-led reforestation, we are helping build long-term ecological and economic resilience”, said Niranjan C. Figurado, Chief Country Officer for Deutsche Bank Sri Lanka. 

What’s next?

The next phase of planting is set to commence with the arrival of the rainy season. Permanent monitoring plots and additional camera traps will continue to track forest growth and wildlife activity, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the Budunwela corridor. 

The camera traps help monitor movement of wildlife 

A Deutsche Bank employee volunteering to help restore the forest

Elephants move between forest patches in search of food, water and breeding areas