SL’s positive approach to a greener and more prosperous future

This blog is part of a series of discussions and activities organized by the World Bank South Asia Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy team to inform a Green recovery in the region.

Farmers, hoteliers and homestay owners, fishers, producers of the famous Kanthale milk curd, Ayurveda healers, fruit growers, developers, safari jeep drivers, local dwellers—all derive their livelihoods from shared natural resources offered by the Hurulu-Kaudualla-Kanthale (HKK) Landscape.

Located in the North East of Sri Lanka and home to 650,000 people, the bountiful area stretches over the lower catchment of the Mahaweli River in Anuradapura, Pollonnaruwa, and Trincomallee Districts, and embodies over 2,500 years of cultural and natural heritage.

As one of Sri Lanka’s highest paddy, vegetable, and fruit-producing regions, the area contributes to the national economy and food security.  The landscape is rich and diverse biologically, with 270 thousand hectares of famous protected areas and national parks.

But the region has been under threat in the past few decades.

Human population growth and degraded and fragmented habitats have pushed elephants and other animals into conflict with local dwellers; rain patterns are more erratic because of climate change; agrochemicals, plastic, and waste pollute the land, rivers, and the ocean.

At the same time, traditional knowledge and land-use practices are lost and replaced with more commercial applications. 

In that context, Sri Lanka’s Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation, with support from the World Bank’s Ecosystem Conservation and Management Project (ESCAMP) is seeking new approaches to manage its land and natural resources better.