NKAR intends to sustainably cater towards its stakeholders through its CSR strategy. As a result, the CSR purpose of the brand intends to actively support the sustainability of the environment through realistic measures while developing and actively supporting oversighted communities of Sri Lanka to an extent they could develop livelihoods of their own. The CSR purpose of NKAR is long term and intends to develop lasting relationships with its communities as well as with the environment the brand actively engages with.
There are two main recipients of NKAR’s CSR strategy – the environment (ecosystem) and community. While some initiatives directly cater towards the wellbeing of the ecosystem, others cater to communities which are often oversighted by a regular CSR initiative, yet strategically important towards the steady growth of the industry.
TSUNAMI HOUSING PROJECT (Back to life project)
On 26 December 2004, Sri Lanka became a victim of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. It caused widespread destruction around the coastal belts of countries close to Indonesia, where the earthquake which triggered the tidal wave took place. In Sri Lanka, more than 35,000 people lost their lives and thousands were left homeless. NKAR took the responsibility to rebuilt the lives of the people by Helping the community by having to build 25 houses for homeless with the help of foreign tour operators to get the victims back to life, as such the project was name back to life.
WORLD TOURISM DAY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
NKAR launched an Awareness Campaign marking the World Tourism Day 2017 and the brand involved Trishaw Drivers who were directly in touch with many tourists visiting Sri Lanka. The awareness campaign featured instructions on ‘Why A Tourist Should be Protected’ while an instruction manual was distributed among addressed participants with a confirmation sticker placed on the back of each vehicle as an assurance to a traveling tourist
Newspaper Articles – http://dailynews.lk/2017/10/12/business/131038/nkar-travels-and-tours-organizes-tourism-promotion-campaign-three-wheel?page=3
“SAVE THE SRI LANKAN SMILE” TOURISM RECOVERY CAMPAIGN
NKAR launched the “Save the Sri Lankan Smile” campaign with the goal of driving a swift and impactful recovery for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. The initiative aimed to unite all tourism stakeholders on a single platform to achieve a common objective: the rapid revival of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
For more Information – https://savethesrilankansmile.com
RURAL SCHOOL MAKEOVER CSR INITIATIVES
CSR project was launched by NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt.) Ltd at Pallansena Primary School, Kochchikade (Negombo) where the school walls were color-washed by our enthusiastic team. Moreover, the swings and seesaws in the school play area were given a new look as a part of this project.
DONATIONS TO FLOOD VICTIMS – 2017
NKAR as a part of its responsibility towards a fair society – donated sleeping mats, medicine, candles and drinking water which were essentials to individuals affected by flood conditions in Eheliyagoda (Sabaragamuwa Province)
THANAMALVILA SCHOOL CSR INITIATIVE 2018
NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt.) Ltd handed over Playground equipment, books, paint, printers and cupboards to a rural school in Thanamalvila as a CSR initiative.
DONATIONS TO FLOOD VICTIMS – 2017
There are thousands of families In Sri Lanka who have to deal with the effects of floods every year. We take responsibility in distributing dry rations and other essentials to support our people during these difficult times and NKAR is been doing this on every year.
NKAR BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN
NKAR is committed to giving back to society. This time, we focused on donating blood and saving lives. The National Blood Bank relies on maintaining a certain blood stock to assist those in need. To support this cause, Team NKAR organized our Annual Blood Donation Campaign. We aimed to encourage both team members and outsiders to join us in this noble cause by donating blood.
Additionally, we provided support to first-time donors, helping them overcome any fears or hesitations they may have had. At NKAR, we believe in supporting individuals to overcome challenges and participate in good deeds, not only in travel and adventure but also in various aspects of life.
SPONSORING FOR THE AIESEC ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE 2018
(Supporting youth tourism industry to develop)
FULLY PAID COLOMBO CITY TOUR FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN
NKAR has an initiative to support children from touristic areas (often from rural or estate sectors) by providing them an opportunity to visit Colombo – a city many haven’t visited before. This also includes a visit to the beach which is another ‘first’ to many rural/estate children) whose parents are mostly the suppliers of NKAR. The objective of this initiative is to offer a unique and memorable opportunity to children of our suppliers to visit the commercial capital of Sri Lanka in an ‘All Paid’ getaway! The initiative is concluded by adding value to the educational journey of these children as NKAR gifts a Sinhala-English dictionary to each child wrapped in NKAR branding so that brand name goes a long way together with the memories of visiting Colombo.
‘ORANGE PLANTATION PROJECT’ AS A SOLUTION FOR HUMAN ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The human-elephant conflict has emerged as a significant issue in Sri Lanka, stemming from various causes. As a company, we hold nature in high regard and prioritize its well-being.
Wasgamuwa National Park stands as one of Sri Lanka’s protected areas, known for its large herds of elephants. Along the southern border of Wasgamuwa National Park lie numerous small villages, approximately 30 in total, which face this ongoing conflict. Over time, various approaches have been attempted to mitigate the human-elephant conflict, ranging from modern solutions such as electric fencing to traditional and innovative methods.
Among these innovative methods, we have come across the Orange Plantation Project, which aims to address the human-elephant conflict in the aforementioned area of Wasgamuwa. This project, initiated by NGOs, caught our attention, prompting us to conduct a thorough study. Subsequently, we have incorporated this activity into our tour programs, allowing our clients the opportunity to contribute by purchasing orange plants and planting them in dedicated areas identified as elephant corridors leading to the villages.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT BY ELIMINATING PLASTIC BOTTLES
NKAR has taken an initiative to distribute 19L PET bottles (recyclable) and a hand-pump each to the touring buses whereas clients are requested to bring their personal water bottles in order to refill them in the bus accordingly. Using smaller (500ml/1L) bottles are strictly discouraged by local tour leaders and Foreign Tour Operators. As a result, the wastage of plastic during NKAR’s group tours are minimal to none existent while the brand has actively maintained elements of the Triple Bottom Line through environmental conservation, social wellbeing (ground level awareness across stakeholders) and economic sustainability (strong cost savings to the organization).
NKAR’S HEARTWARMING ADOPTION:
BECOMING PARENTS TO A BABY ELEPHANT
In a heartwarming gesture as part of its sustainability initiatives, NKAR has stepped forward to adopt a baby elephant abandoned by her herd in the jungle. With Sri Lanka home to over 7000 elephants, the issue of human-elephant conflict looms large, especially in wildlife national park areas. To address this, the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawa was established in 1995. This sanctuary provides shelter and care for injured elephants as well as abandoned or lost baby elephants, nurturing them until they are ready for release with careful monitoring.
Presently, ETH is a haven for more than 60 elephants under its care. NKAR’s decision to adopt and become parents to one of these elephants not only embodies their commitment to sustainability but also highlights the touching bond between humans and these majestic creatures. Full Story – https://nkar.lk/nurturing-love-nkar-adopts-motherless-baby-elephant
Little Adira’s Big Progress after 9 months
We visited the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe to see how well our little Adira is getting on.
It was said that Adira is now well settled, happy and wanders about all day with the herd, specially tagging along with her “surrogate mother”. It also revealed that she has become a bit of a bully pushing younger newcomers to the herd aiming for a lion’s share of the milk.
We bless her to continue to grow well and also to settle down without being a bully, which is quite normal at this age.
In March 2025, we would step into the 2nd year of fostering Adira.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES IN HASALAKA
Situated near the captivating Knuckles Mountain range and in close proximity to Mahiyanganaya Town, Hasalaka is a stunning region that we carefully curate for our tour programs. Here, we handpick a range of experiences and sustainable tourism practices to enhance our guests’ journey.
a. Village Pottery Making experience.
In our quest to support local communities, we have chosen a remarkable family whose livelihood revolves around the art of pottery. What makes this particular selection even more special is that the talented potter has a hearing disability, exemplifying our belief that some of the most creative individuals are differently abled.
Witnessing the potter’s ingenuity firsthand, our clients will have the unique opportunity to engage in the pottery-making process themselves. By participating, they can appreciate the patience, serenity, and skill required to create a beautiful pot. Additionally, through our involvement, we aim to improve the quality of life for this deserving family.
Village Lunch in Rathna Ella
Rathna Ella, the tallest waterfall in the Kandy district, is situated in the remote village of Hasalaka within the Mahiyanganaya area. We have chosen this village as a site for implementing several sustainable tourism practices. Within this area, there are two waterfalls from which the waterfall walk originates, starting in Hasalaka village. The longest trail to Rathna Ella spans 7 kilometers round trip.
To enhance the visitor experience, we have identified a quaint dwelling in close proximity to Rathna Ella. This small house, constructed with mud walls and surrounded by picturesque paddy fields, serves as the venue for preparing a traditional village lunch for our clients. The locals at this place diligently follow our instructions to create an authentic village meal. In addition to generating income for the community, we are also providing support for the development of a designated area where a group of 12 to 15 people can comfortably gather and enjoy their lunch.
Farmer’s Breakfast in Mapakada.
We have chosen a location in Mapakada village where we can offer a village-style breakfast experience in a farm hut. To reach this secluded farm hut, a 750-meter walk through the jungle is required. From there, our clients can enjoy the scenic view of the farm overlooking the Mapakada lake while the farmer prepares breakfast. Clients also have the unique opportunity to participate in the traditional village-style breakfast preparation process. This initiative has positively impacted the farmer’s livelihood. Prior to implementing this project, we made several enhancements to the farm hut and walking path to elevate the overall standards. As part of our commitment to both the farmer and our clients’ well-being, we sponsored these improvements.
Nelumwewa Gini Damana Village experience
We have curated a series of experiences in a remote village near Polonnaruwa that foster sustainable tourism and provide benefits to the local community. The program unfolds as follows:
In the morning, clients will have the opportunity to visit a village fair where they can engage in bargaining and purchase items for the upcoming lunch preparation. They will then actively participate in the cooking process, taking place in an authentic village house. Once the meal is ready, the clients will proceed to the temple to engage in the traditional act of alms giving, presenting the food they have prepared. The chief monk of the temple will graciously bestow blessings upon them, after which the clients can return to the location where they cooked the food and delight in their lunch. This immersive experience not only provides a unique glimpse into village life but also contributes to the well-being of the local community, creating a mutually beneficial experience for both the villagers and the clients.
Ahangama Village Tuk tuk Tour
In Ahangama, we have introduced a unique tuk-tuk village tour that allows clients to explore the enchanting low-grown tea plantations and cinnamon farms in the southern region. Traveling by tuk-tuk, we offer an immersive experience where clients can witness the beauty of these plantations and learn about the production processes.
As part of the tour, we also visit a local village house where clients can enjoy a cup of tea accompanied by delightful local sweets. This program not only provides an authentic cultural experience but also extends benefits to various stakeholders involved. The tuk-tuk drivers, workers in the tea and cinnamon plantations, and the local villagers all reap the advantages of this initiative, contributing to their livelihoods and the overall well-being of the community.
DEVELOPING THE LIVELIHOOD OF OVERSIGHTED VILLAGERS
NKAR was looking for a village lunch supplier 15 years ago and instead of finding an existing supplier, we decided to improvise in creating a new supplier from the grass root level. That’s how NKAR found ‘Kalu’ – a simple farmer residing in a rural village off Giritale. Hesitant at first due to our requirement of catering to ‘white people’ Kalu took up a journey and has become one of the most sought out lunch suppliers in the cultural triangle. His once thatched house now stands as a complete house built with bricks and roofing sheets with the generous support of NKAR’s visiting clients, local tour leaders and NKAR’s management. The objective of this initiative was to develop the livelihood of a poor farmer, offer our clients an experiential traditional lunch
SUPPORTING LOCAL INDUSTRIES OF DUNAGAHA
NKAR has selected a remote village in the Negombo District – Dunagaha – which is rural, but renowned for woven items. We take our German groups to this village after their arrival in Sri Lanka in order to offer them an experience around the village and its signature industry. This is coupled with traditional sweetmeats and a cup of Pure Ceylon Tea after which each client is gifted with a traditionally woven shawl – pre purchased in bulks from the same village by NKAR – as a valuable souvenir. The objective of this initiative is to support social wellbeing of villagers, develop the economic sustainability of the industry and village while offering a completely different experience to NKAR’s clients before they start their round tour in Sri Lanka.
