A proposed road development through the Knuckles Conservation Forest, part of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Central Highlands, has triggered strong opposition from environmentalists and conservationists nationwide.
Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) warned that the project could devastate one of the island’s most ecologically sensitive mountain ecosystems.
He pointed out that tourism operators and several safari jeep owners, in collaboration with Kandy District MPs E.M. Basnayake and Jagath Manuwarna, secured approval to carpet and open an eight-kilometre forest trail between Thangappuwa and Corbett’s Gap for jeep safaris.
The decision, made at an August 22, 2025 meeting facilitated by the Land Use Policy Planning Department, has raised concerns because the area lies within a legally protected conservation zone.
Construction has already begun on the section from Rangala to Thangappuwa, outside the protected boundary, with plans to extend into the Knuckles forest reserve itself.
The project would involve widening paths, cutting slopes, and laying asphalt, potentially causing irreparable damage to the forest’s core ecological zones.
Environmental experts say that the initiative violates the Forest Ordinance and National Environmental Act, which strictly prohibit land clearing or road construction within conservation forests without proper environmental impact assessments and central approvals. Violators can face imprisonment or heavy fines.
Chamikara highlighted that the Knuckles-Dumbara range is home to numerous endemic species, including rare amphibians like the Dumbara shrub frog, unique reptiles such as the Dumbara horned lizard, and over 30 endemic bird species.
Any disturbance, he warned, could destroy critical microhabitats, increase temperatures, and accelerate species extinction.
The project is reportedly driven by a group of hoteliers and local business owners from Thangappuwa and Rangala.
Conservationists argue that it directly contradicts the government’s “Prosperous Country, Beautiful Life” policy, which promises ecological justice and protection for sensitive zones.
MPs and officials supporting the project are accused of undermining public trust and prioritizing short-term commercial gain over environmental stewardship.
Leave a comment