COLOMBO (28) — Sri Lanka has announced a comprehensive strategy to increase the nation’s forest coverage from the current 29% to 32% by 2030. The plan involves acquiring approximately 144,000 hectares of new forest land and strengthening conservation efforts, according to Minister of Wildlife, Forest Resources Conservation, and Irrigation Pavithra Wanniarachchi.
During a press briefing titled “Two Years of Progress and Way Forward” held at the Presidential Media Centre, Wanniarachchi detailed recent achievements and future goals. She highlighted a significant rise in tourist visits to forest attractions, with 364,521 tourists recorded in the first half of 2024 alone. This number represents a substantial increase from previous years, reflecting a growing interest in eco-tourism.
“Compared to the past two years, 2024 is expected to see a significant increase in both local and foreign tourists visiting destinations managed by the Department of Forest Conservation,” Wanniarachchi said. “In 2022, we had 289,405 visitors; this number rose to 444,053 in 2023. The first half of 2024 has already seen 364,521 visitors.”
The minister also discussed several new developments aimed at enhancing the eco-tourism experience, including the opening of the Gal Oya National Park, the Manigala Forest Lodge, and new facilities at popular locations like Sinharaja and Udawattakele. The government has also introduced dedicated sanitary facilities for foreign tourists and an online ticket reservation system to streamline access to national parks.
Efforts to restore and expand forest areas include using modern technology such as drones for forest protection and establishing permanent forest systems with boundary canals. The government is also focused on the restoration of mangrove ecosystems, with 326 hectares of mangroves planted in the past two years. Sri Lanka’s efforts have earned international recognition, including the United Nations Flagship Award for contributions to mangrove restoration.
Additionally, measures to address wildlife issues and increase revenue for conservation organizations are underway. The Department of National Zoological Gardens reported a revenue increase of 66% from 2023 to 2024. The State Timber Corporation is expected to record a net profit by year-end, with significant revenue achieved so far in 2024.
The government plans to conduct a survey of the elephant population, the first in 13 years, and has introduced new laws to combat wildlife crimes more effectively.
The briefing was attended by senior officials, including Secretary to the Ministry Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Director General of Wildlife M.G.C. Sooriyabandara, and Conservator General of Forests E.A.P.N. Edirisinghe.
