The five-star Cinnamon Lodge Habarana in Sri Lanka is sprawled over 27 acres of lush forested land. Chalet-type accommodation is situated in tranquil surroundings with pathways and podiums inspired by the glorious remains of Ritigala, a 6th century Buddhist monastery. Other ancient historical sites – the Sigiriya Fortress, the UNESCO World Heritage capital cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and the Dambulla Cave Temple await guests nearby.
Green Globe recently re-certified Cinnamon Lodge Habarana for the fourth year with the hotel receiving a high compliance score of 84% against accredited criteria.
Ghazzali Mohideen, General Manager at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana said, “We are delighted to obtain Green globe re-certification which affirms our commitment to sustainable green practices that we are passionate about. In addition to the significant reductions in Co2 emissions achieved and the reduction in waste generation, we are excited about our new project the resort’s paper recycling plant which in its second phase will have local community partnership.”
The resort follows a comprehensive environmental management system that focuses on energy and water conservation, minimizing its carbon footprint, reducing waste and protecting biodiversity. Electricity usage throughout the property is monitored monthly. And energy saving initiatives include the replacement of incandescent lighting with LED lighting and the installation of sensor lights.
Water usage at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is monitored on a regular basis and reduction goals are set. Furthermore, the property has an onsite sewage treatment plant to reduce the impact black and grey water has on the environment. And as part of the property’s waste reduction initiatives, waste is segregated thereby enabling a higher percentage of reuse and recycling of refuse.
The conservation of biodiversity is a priority for the resort. Although once considered the driest region in the country, 1700 trees were saved from the banks of the Mahaweli River and transplanted at Habarana. Now fertile, green gardens cover the resort grounds and are home to a diverse range of wildlife. Over 150 different birds live in this natural habitat and countless species of butterflies are protected at the butterfly garden.
Finally, as part of their sustainable management objectives, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana also has its own farm that produces fresh fruits and vegetables for the hotel’s kitchens. And, organic food waste provides food for the piggery.
