The Environment Ministry has formally declared eight mangrove forest systems in Puttalam District as nature reserves, bringing approximately 176.67 hectares under official protection as part of the government's environmental conservation initiative.

The Ministry of Environment has signed a gazette establishing eight mangrove forest areas in Puttalam District as official reserves, according to an announcement by Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi. The declaration was finalized on July 27 and represents an expansion of protected wetland habitats in the region.

The newly designated reserves—Thilliyadiya, Sammattawadiya, Muthalapali, Kudawa, Kumbutu Kuliyawa, Karambe, Kandakuliya, and Mandala Kudawa—encompass a combined 176.67 hectares. The initiative aligns with the government's environmental framework titled "A Sustainable Biosphere – Evergreen Life" and operates under the national program "Give Space for Mangroves to Breathe." The timing coincided with International Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation Day on July 26.

This protective designation forms part of the broader "Vanaspathi" conservation program. Officials indicated the move aims to enhance public understanding of mangrove ecosystem functions while promoting sustainable management practices and responsible resource utilization. The effort builds on earlier conservation work, as several mangrove forests in Puttalam and Chilaw were similarly protected in 2025, adding approximately 67 hectares to the reserve network.

Sri Lanka currently maintains roughly 12,500 hectares of mangrove forests, with the largest concentrations situated in lagoon and estuary zones throughout Puttalam District. Research has documented 11 mangrove species distributed across the island's coastal regions.