The Nilgala Forest, which spans the Ampara and Monaragala districts, will be officially declared a forest reserve today (2), according to the Ministry of Environment.
Covering a total area of 40,683 hectares, the Nilgala Forest encompasses four forest reserves: Medagama, Bibila, Nilgala, and Inginiyagala. Among these, the Bibila site is recognized as the primary reserve.
The Department of Forest Conservation is organizing the official declaration ceremony, which is set to take place this morning (2) at the Rathugala Indigenous Heritage Center in Bibila. The event will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Dhammika Patabendi.
This initiative is part of a broader series of environmental programs organized by the Ministry of Environment in line with World Environment Day, observed on June 5. As part of these efforts, a National Environment Week has been declared. Tomorrow, marking the fourth day of the week, has been designated as Biodiversity Conservation Day.
