Warnagala forest declared as a conservation zone: Env. ministry

The National Environment Council had decided to declare the Warnagala Reserve in Kuruwita  as a protected ecological zone, the Environment Ministry said. 

The decision was announced following a discussion with the officials of the Environment Council officials and Central Environmental Authority (CEA) yesterday.

Following several rounds of discussion with the Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, he advised to take appropriate measures to protect the Warnagala Reserve.

Warnagala Forest Reserve in Kuruwita, in the Ratnapura District is an ecosystem of high value for its lowland wet evergreen flora. It is reported that there are 383 species of plants and animals in this forest reserve consisting of 219 species of animals and 164 flowering plants. Podochilus warnagalensis, an endemic species in our country, has also been recorded in this reserve.

Eleven endangered species (11) and four (14) endangered and endangered species have been identified in the Warnagala Reserve. Webless Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus hypomelas), an endemic species of frogs were also found in this reserve. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)