A decision has been taken to gazette 1,500 hectares of land associated with key water sources and watershed mountain areas belonging to the Department of Forest Conservation in Nuwara Eliya as protected areas.

The decision was reached at a special District Coordinating Committee meeting held yesterday (28) at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat, with the aim of promoting environmental conservation, sustainable tourism, and the protection of watershed areas in the district. 

Accordingly, immediate measures were taken to safeguard the environment and watershed zones in the district, and the Ministry of Environment stated that the relevant areas will be gazetted in the near future.

Instructions were also issued during the meeting to expedite the issuance of Environmental Protection Licences (EPLs) to hotels and other business establishments located in the Nuwara Eliya tourist zone through a proper mechanism, as well as to conduct continuous inspections to prevent the pollution of water sources by ensuring the proper disposal of wastewater.

The committee meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweeraarachchi, and other public representatives, along with Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K. R. Uduwawala, the District Secretary, Additional Secretaries, and several government officials.

Steps were also taken at the meeting to coordinate all State institutions to swiftly resolve environmental and development issues, thereby reducing the risk of natural disasters, including landslides, and preventing illegal deforestation through the protection of watershed areas.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Environment emphasized that development plans will be implemented to create a safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly Nuwara Eliya that benefits both tourists and local residents while preserving the district’s environmental identity.