SAGT partners with Center for Sustainability

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - March 31, 2023 - PRLog -- South Asia Gateway Terminals (https://www.sagt.com.lk/) (Pvt) Ltd (SAGT), Sri Lanka's first Public Private Partnership Container Terminal and flagship entity of the Board of Investment, partnered with the Center for Sustainability (CFS), University of Sri Jayewardenepura to carry out a mangrove restoration project together with the implementation of an agroforestry system on five acres of land in the Benthara River Mangrove Complex situated in Galatara, Iththapana for a period of 5 years.

Sri Lanka is home to approximately 19,500 hectares of mangrove forests consisting of over 20 true mangrove species. The Benthara River Mangrove Complex is one of the most threatened mangrove ecosystems within the island due to continued unsustainable agricultural practices and damaging human activity.

The mangrove restoration project by CFS and SAGT will ensure the rehabilitation of the mangrove forests and revitalize and resuscitate endangered ecosystems that thrive in the shelter of the mangrove root systems. The project will also promote agroforestry in the region and educate communities on sustainable harvesting, and use of natural resources with the aim of promoting a balance between the coexistence of the community with the surrounding environment.

Since its reaffirmation to sustainability in 2018, SAGT has successfully adhered to its four pillared sustainability strategy including Environmental Stewardship. SAGT's alignment to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDG's) ensures that the organizations sustainable best practices are carried forward to benefit the surrounding communities and environment.

Commenting on the collaboration with CFS Mr. Ted Muttiah, Chief Commercial Officer at SAGT stated "the port of Colombo is a vital cog in the country's economic revival. Within this SAGT's leadership as a responsible and a sustainable terminal operator is an integral part of the port's overall value proposition. Awareness of the carbon footprint of our operations is the beginning of mindfully striving to reduce impact on our environment".

Sharing his views on the Partnership with SAGT, Professor Priyan Perera Director for the Center for Sustainability of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura stated "SAGT's efforts towards contributing to the restoration of the environment is commendable. I'm confident that our partnership will continue to bring positive benefits both to the environment and surrounding communities".

More Information - https://www.sagt.com.lk/