In a landmark partnership blending ecology and heritage, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, through The Lunuganga Trust, has joined with Preserving Land and Nature (Guarantee) Limited (PLANT) to restore two islands in the mangrove-rich Bentota lagoon—Honduwa and Appaladuwa. A recently signed MoU outlines their long-term conservation, making them models for private land stewardship at a time when Sri Lanka’s forests rely heavily on state reserves.

The Geoffrey Bawa Trust: Where Architecture Meets Ecology Established to protect the legacy of Sri Lanka’s iconic architect, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust manages landscapes like Lunuganga and the ecologically significant Honduwa and Appaladuwa, set aside by Bawa for preservation. Today, the Trust carries his vision forward, with conservation projects that underscore the land as living heritage. The presence of the Critically Endangered Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) on Honduwa adds urgency to the work.

“This is more than a conservation project—it’s a continuation of Bawa’s vision, where land is a sacred, dynamic entity,” said Channa Daswatte, Chairperson of the Geoffrey Bawa and Lunuganga Trusts. “In PLANT, we have a partner equally committed to creating a Sri Lanka where people and species can better coexist.”

WNPS PLANT: A Conservation Vision Rooted in Connectivity PLANT, an initiative of the WNPS, focuses on restoring habitat connectivity through private lands. Its flagship, Emerald Trails, is building forest corridors across Sri Lanka’s endemic-rich southwest. Active in 30+ locations, PLANT integrates science, restoration, and long-term stewardship.

“This partnership connects conservation with cultural heritage,” noted Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Chairman of PLANT. “It’s about ecosystems and legacy—showing that stewardship can replace ownership, and conservation can be a cultural act as much as an ecological one.”

A Blueprint for Restoration. The MoU commits to habitat protection, research, education, and community engagement. Plans include biodiversity surveys, invasive species removal, native tree planting, and strengthening Hog Deer populations. The islands will also serve as living classrooms for researchers and conservationists, while local communities are engaged as ecological stewards. A joint fundraising strategy will ensure long-term sustainability.

Where Nature and Legacy Converge Bawa’s design ethos celebrated harmony between land and architecture. This initiative extends that philosophy through regeneration, wildlife return, and cultural stewardship. As Sri Lanka faces climate instability and habitat fragmentation, the project stands as a citizen-led model of restoration.

Once overlooked, Honduwa and Appaladuwa are being transformed into thriving ecosystems. Camera traps will record wildlife, native species will be reintroduced, and the natural rhythms of forest life will return. In a time dominated by environmental loss, these islands stand as living proof that restoration is possible—true islands of hope.