NUWARA ELIYA — The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), in strategic partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and local community conservation networks, has launched an expanded ecological corridor initiative across the fragile montane ecosystems of the Central Highlands.

The conservation program establishes contiguous protected green corridors connecting Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, and fragmented cloud forest reserves in Nuwara Eliya district. These biological corridors provide safe migratory pathways for the endangered Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), endemic highland birds, and rare montane flora.

Field teams are collaborating with regional plantation companies to restore indigenous canopy trees along estate boundaries and establish community-led anti-poaching patrols. Advanced camera trap grids and satellite mapping are being deployed to monitor wildlife movement patterns and prevent human-wildlife encounters.

Environmental scientists emphasized that safeguarding the Central Highlands' watershed and biodiversity is essential for climate resilience, soil preservation, and the sustained health of major river basins that supply agriculture and hydro-power across the island.