Hambantota Port Launches Green Zone Program

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Hambantota International Port (HIP) launched a program for the establishment of a green zone that will see the reforestation and afforestation of land.

The Afforestation of the port’s reclaimed land and reforestation, marks a significant milestone in HIP's journey towards minimising its carbon footprint.

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) said that the final objective of the program is to be come carbon neutral.

It added the initiatives, that would materialise over the next 3-5 years, aligns seamlessly with the port's vision of fostering environmental stewardship along with robust commercial infrastructure development.

CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), Johnson Liu said while the planting of trees particularly within the Port area and on breakwaters, has a positive impact on the environment, there is the aesthetic factor which one has to take into account especially considering HIP’s development as a cruise ship port.

Since January 2018, HIP has planted a total of 13,371 trees and plants across its premises and neighbouring communities as part of its Green Port initiative. 

This year alone, HIP aims to plant over 900 trees, with a projected target of exceeding 17,000 trees within port premises and surrounding community areas by 2028.