Another 20 forests in Sri Lanka are being declared as forest reserves through a Gazette notification issued today (26).
The initiative is being carried out at the Sandatenna Forestry College in Nuwara Eliya, alongside the “Wanaspathi” national programme, under the patronage of Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Pathabedige.
Accordingly, 20 forests located in the Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ampara, Badulla, Vavuniya, and Anuradhapura districts are being declared as reserves.
The forests cover a total area of approximately 9,538 hectares.
The Ministry of Environment has previously gazetted 93 forests as reserves. With the addition of the 20 forests declared today, the total land area designated as forest reserves has reached approximately 65,000 hectares.
The national programme commenced on World Environment Day in 2025. Within one year, a total of 86 forests have been declared as reserves under the programme.
