Five new forest reserves and a new wildlife sanctuary will be declared parallel to the World Environment Day 2025, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said.
The Nilgala forest in the Moneragala District (39,160 hectares), Kottawa forest in the Galle District (450 hectares), Thulhirikanda forest (46 hectares), Werehenkanda forest (37 hectares) and Udaliyadda forest (15 hectares) in the Kegalle District will be declared new forest reserves.
Galapitamada, in the Kegalle District, which is a natural habitat of Bandula Barb (Bandulapethiya), a critically Endangered and point endemic species, will be declared a wildlife sanctuary.
Minister Dr. Patabendi told the media at the Government Information Department on Wednesday that the World Environment Day national event would be held at the Independent Avenue premises, Kegalle on June 5, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He said a “Kegalle Declaration” would be unveiled at the event, proclaiming the Government’s vision and policy on the environment.
The Environment Ministry has declared a ‘National Environment Week’ from May 30 to June 5 to mark the World Environment Day, with different themes for each day.
May 30 has been named as ‘Plastic waste management day’, June 1 as ‘Environmental cleanliness awareness day’, June 2 as ‘Biodiversity conservation day’, June 3 as ‘Water and water resources conservation day’ and June 4 as ‘Coastal cleanup day’. June 5 has been set aside for planting trees and the national event of the Environment Day.
The Ministry, together with its affiliated institutions and the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Secretariat, has organised a series of activities, including public awareness raising campaigns throughout the week.
