Sri Lanka to gazette 1,500 hectares as protected areas in Nuwara Eliya

The protected area designation represents a significant conservation effort for the Nuwara Eliya district, which encompasses some of Sri Lanka's most biodiverse and ecologically sensitive ecosystems in the central highlands. The formal gazetting process will provide legal protection to the identified 1,500 hectares, restricting unauthorised land use and development activities within the designated zones.

Nuwara Eliya, situated at elevation exceeding 1,800 metres, is home to unique flora and fauna adapted to cooler climates. The region's forests, grasslands, and water sources play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance across the central highlands and sustaining downstream water resources relied upon by communities throughout the island.

The protection status is expected to strengthen conservation management protocols and enable more effective monitoring of land use practices within the designated areas. Environmental officials indicate that the gazetting will facilitate better coordination between relevant authorities in enforcing environmental regulations and preventing encroachment on protected lands.

The initiative aligns with Sri Lanka's broader commitment to expanding its protected area network and safeguarding critical ecosystems. Conservation efforts in the central highlands remain vital as these regions face mounting pressure from tourism development, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure projects.