Sri Lanka to designate 20 additional forests as protected reserves

The Ministry of Environment announced plans to gazette 20 additional forests as forest reserves on September 26, bolstering the country's protected forest estate under the Vanaspathi initiative.

The formal declaration ceremony will take place at the Sandathenna Forestry Institute in Nuwara Eliya, held under the patronage of Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi. The Vanaspathi programme, a comprehensive national forest conservation scheme, aims to expand and strengthen the country's network of protected forest areas.

The newly designated reserves are distributed across various locations throughout the country, reflecting a geographically diverse approach to forest preservation. The move is expected to enhance biodiversity protection and support the government's broader environmental sustainability objectives.

This expansion of the forest reserve system demonstrates continued commitment to combating deforestation and maintaining Sri Lanka's forest cover. The protected status will provide these areas with legal safeguards against unauthorized land use changes and extractive activities.