Authorities have decided to gazette approximately 1,500 hectares of forestry department land in Nuwara Eliya as protected areas, focusing on watershed preservation and environmental conservation in the hill country district.

A special District Coordinating Committee meeting held in Nuwara Eliya has approved the designation of 1,500 hectares of Department of Forest Conservation land as protected zones through an official Gazette notification. The protected areas will encompass critical water sources and upper catchment regions within the district. According to the Ministry of Environment, the gazettal process is expected to proceed in the near future.

The decision prioritizes three key objectives: environmental conservation, sustainable tourism development, and protection of watershed areas that are vital to the district's water security. Officials stated that the move aims to reduce natural disaster risks, including landslides, while preventing illegal deforestation. Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody emphasized that development initiatives will be implemented to create a sustainable Nuwara Eliya that balances tourism growth with environmental preservation and community welfare.

The committee also instructed relevant agencies to accelerate the issuance of Environmental Protection Licences to hotels and businesses operating within the Nuwara Eliya tourism zone through established procedures. Additionally, authorities will conduct regular inspections to prevent water source contamination and ensure proper wastewater disposal. The meeting brought together Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, and various government officials and public representatives to coordinate environmental and development initiatives across state institutions.