Department of Forest Conservation

Vision

“Sustainable management of national forest and tree resources to meet the increasing requirement of timber and forest produce and to provide environmental services for the wellbeing of people and of the national economy”

Mission

“To conserve and develop national forest resources to ensure the prosperity of the nation”

Main Objectives of the National Forest Policy Series (1995)

1. Conservation of forests for the benefit of future generations with a special focus on biodiversity, soil, water, historical, cultural, religious and aesthetic values.
2. Improving tree cover and increasing the productivity of forests to meet the present and future generation needs for forest products and services at the national level.
3. Enhancing the contribution of the sector to the welfare of the rural population and strengthening the national economy with a special focus on the equal distribution of the benefits of economic development.

Role of the Forest Department.

More than 64% of the highly ecologically important natural forest ecosystems, which constitute about 29.2% of the total land area of ​​Sri Lanka, are administered by the Department of Forest Conservation. These forests are adversely affected by various human activities and natural phenomena. Above forests provide important environmental, social, economic and cultural services and also play an important role in controlling climate change, a major global issue currently experiencing.  Therefore, there is a great responsibility for the scientific conservation, management and development of the resource which is currently receiving intense attention globally and nationally.

The role of the Forest Department in fulfilling the above mission is as follows.

• Maintaining an optimal and adequate forest cover in the island for good climate conditions as well as conservation of soil, water resources, fauna and flora and meeting the aesthetic, scientific, historical and socio-economic needs of the country.
• Optimal use of forest lands by integrated land use considering the topography, wildlife and flora, historical, aesthetic, scientific, environmental and social characteristics of the forest lands.
• Forest land development to increase the production of materials required for local consumption as well as for export and thereby ensure conservation of soil and water resources.
• Manage the forest resources on a scientific basis and ensure their sustainable development in order to continue to meet the future timber requirements.
• When all forest resources are used for development as well as utilization, ensuring that the necessary environmental protection measures are used to protect biodiversity and genetic diversity and to conserve soil and biological resources.
• Carrying out forestry research activities required for sustainable development of forest resources.
• Maintaining professional relations with other institutions that contribute to the development of forest resources.
• Implementing community participation programs aimed at conservation, management and development to uplift the living standards of the rural community.
• Conducting educational and extension programs to promote understanding and skills in forest conservation and development.
• Protection of forest resources in accordance with the prevailing forest conservation policies and regulations.
• Maintaining eco-tourism activities in a manner that does not impede the conservation process, with the aim of improving the living standards of the rural community.
• Taking steps to promote development processes with the participation of the private sector.