Authorities plan to give protected status to 1,500 hectares of forest land in Nuwara Eliya linked to key water sources and mountain watershed areas.
The land belongs to the Department of Forest Conservation.
The decision came at a special District Coordinating Committee meeting in Nuwara Eliya on August 28.
Officials want to protect the areas from activities that could damage water sources and the surrounding environment.
The Ministry of Environment said it will gazette the selected areas as protected land in the near future.
Water Sources and Disaster Risks
The move focuses on areas that help maintain water supplies in the district.
Officials also want to reduce risks linked to illegal deforestation and landslides by protecting these areas.
The committee has asked State institutions to work together to deal with environmental and development issues in the district.
This includes taking faster action when activities threaten forests, water sources or other sensitive areas.
Hotels Face Environmental Checks
The new measures will also affect businesses operating in the Nuwara Eliya tourist zone.
Officials have instructed authorities to speed up the proper issue of Environmental Protection Licences (EPLs) for hotels and other businesses.
Authorities will also carry out regular inspections to check how businesses handle wastewater.
The aim is to prevent wastewater from entering and polluting nearby water sources.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Nuwara Eliya Mayor and MP Manjula Suraweeraarachchi.
Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K. R. Uduwawala, the District Secretary, Additional Secretaries and other government officials also attended.
The Government also plans further development work in Nuwara Eliya while keeping environmental protection in focus.
Once the gazette takes effect, the 1,500 hectares will receive formal protection as part of efforts to safeguard water sources and reduce environmental risks in the district.
Last modified: August 29, 2026
