A special joint field inspection and progress review meeting aimed at protecting the environmentally sensitive and biodiverse Horton Plains National Park, while modernising its infrastructure and promoting sustainable eco-tourism, was held under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Department, as well as the Horton Plains Park Warden and other field officers.
As part of efforts to improve the protection of the Horton Plains ecosystem and manage visitors, a proposal was made to relocate the ticket-issuing counter to a point closer to the entrance of the Forest Department-controlled area along the Pattipola–Horton Plains forest road.
The Forest Department has also been given a six-month monitoring period to control environmental damage caused by illegal human activities, littering, noise pollution and animal hunting within wildlife and forest conservation zones.
It was decided that if environmental damage cannot be effectively controlled during the next six months, the ticket counters will be promptly moved to lower entry zones and stricter road and access controls will be introduced.
