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Dole abandons banana plantation in National Park
"We are extremely pleased with the turn of events and the prompt manner in which Dole has acted in this instance which we trust will serve as an example to other organizations that are presented with evidence of infringements in law governing public assets,"
- Environmental Foundation Limited
After a threat of lawsuit, Dole Inc. has abandoned a banana plantation in Somawathiya National Park in Sri Lanka.
The US-based food giant had partnered with a local company, Letsgrow Ltd, to grow bananas for export markets at the bank of the Mahaweli River, but Dole ran into trouble when local conservation organizations pointed out they were illegally destroying forest and planting crops in Somawathiya National Park, home to elephants and many other imperiled species. Local group, Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL), obtained past and current satellite images to prove that the company was operation within the park.