Polwaththa Ecolodge
Business started in 2010
Local/Foreign Owned with 95% local staff
Lodging
Activities: Eco Lodge
Located 19km east of Kandy, Polwaththa Ecolodge consists of 14 lodges spread out in a pristine environment. The environment and the local community are at the heart of their operations, promoting responsible tourism. The lodges at Polwaththa are built from natural resources found on the land; such as wood, mud and self made bricks. They are built by their very own villagers who play a big part in the running of this project.
Lokal Travel Badges
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Community
About 80% of their staff are from the local community and are paid well about the government approved minimum salary. They also support local schools that struggle to obtain state funding for bare necessities. They also support poor/handicapped locals to pursue their studies and fund community projects, such as rice cultivation, road improvements, etc.
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Environment
"Polwaththa" in the local langugae means coconut estate, which was the case until they allowed nature to take over. Other endemic trees began to grow on the property and it is now called a "Kandyan Forest Garden". They also purchase their neighbors barren lands, due to felling of trees for quick money, in a program called the "Forest Healing Project" where they re-introduce endangered plants. Through this project, they educate locals about the importance of preserving the forest.