Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Galgamuwa sanctuary declared protected area under wildlife law
Nearly 1,500 acres in Kurunegala District have been officially designated as a protected sanctuary under Sri Lanka's Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. The declaration follows environmental concerns over commercial activities including crop cultivation and mineral extraction on the land.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Naakolagane Sanctuary in the Galgamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division of Kurunegala District has been formally declared a protected area under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, marking a significant conservation milestone for the region.
The sanctuary encompasses approximately 1,500 acres that have been subject to various commercial operations in recent years. Private businesses have utilized portions of the land for economic crop cultivation, mineral extraction, and soil excavation, raising concerns among environmental advocates about habitat degradation and ecosystem damage.
Environmental organizations mounted a legal challenge to the ongoing activities, filing a petition before the Supreme Court requesting suspension of commercial operations on the site. The groups cited potential irreversible environmental harm and the need for land protection in the region.
The official sanctuary designation is expected to restrict further development and commercial activity on the protected land. The declaration represents an effort to balance economic interests with conservation objectives in the Kurunegala District, where competing land-use pressures have intensified in recent years.
Details regarding the specific regulatory framework governing the sanctuary and enforcement mechanisms remain to be clarified by relevant environmental authorities.