Sri Lanka Celebrates International Forest Day 2025: Forests and Food for a Sustainable Future

Sri Lanka is renowned for its rich biodiversity and evergreen rainforests, but its forest cover has seen a sharp decline over the past century. In the 1920s, about 49% of the island was covered in forest; today that figure is estimated at under 30%.  Rapid deforestation due to agriculture, and development has dramatically reduced green cover, putting wildlife and ecosystems at risk. This trend has raised alarms among conservationists and policymakers, underscoring the need for urgent action to protect and restore the nation’s forests.

A satellite image of Sri Lanka reveals dark green pockets of dense forest mainly in the southwest, while other regions appear more sparsely vegetated. Much of the island’s native forest has been cleared over the past century, leaving only fragmented sanctuaries in protected areas. Source: NASA

Every year on March 21, the world marks the International Day of Forests, a UN-designated day to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests. This year carries the theme “Forests and Food,” emphasising the vital role of forests in ensuring food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods.

Sri Lanka’s Commitment to Forest Conservation

In a conversation with Mr. Nishantha Edirisinghe, Director General of the Forest Conservation Department, highlighted that the rate of forest loss in Sri Lanka has been decreasing in recent years due to intensified reforestation and conservation efforts. “We can already see this shift in the 2024 forest map, which is still being finalised,” he noted. However, he acknowledged the challenges, saying, “Replanting artificial forests is not an easy task. They take time to grow and cannot replicate the diversity of natural forests.”

To align with the 2025 theme of ‘Forests and Food,’ the Forest Conservation Department launched of a special program to plant edible plants across a 10-hectare area. The inaugural ceremony, held in the Watareka Warawa area, witnessed the planting of 600 edible plants over an acre of land. The event, which attracted broad participation, was held with the support from Mr. Rohitha Uduwawala, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment.

Mr. Edirisinghe further explaind that while large-scale development projects such as the Mahaweli, Kaluganga, and Moragahakanda schemes previously posed the biggest threats to forests/ But, today, unauthorized agricultural actives is the leading cause of forest loss. “The progress of our restoration initiatives is evident in the drop-in deforestation rates,” he further confirmed.

Government Initiatives: Laws and Innovation

The government’s commitment is underpinned by strong policy moves. 

1. In January 2024, the Cabinet approved a new Reforestation and Forest Cover Act to legally support its target of expanding forest cover from around 29% to 32% by 2030, in line with its Paris Agreement commitments. Key actions include restoring degraded forests, expanding tree cover on farmlands, and establishing a National Forestation Fund to engage private and NGO partners. Read here
2. Aerial seed bombing, initiated in 2018 by the Sri Lanka Air Force. This technique disperses seed balls over remote or inaccessible land to aid natural regeneration. The Air Force has completed multiple waves of this operation with positive early signs of forest regrowth. Read here
3. In late 2024, a controversial decree that had downgraded protections for “other state forests” (smaller forest patches outside formal reserves) was overturned. That decree had made it easier to convert roughly 5% of Sri Lanka’s land (rich in biodiversity and carbon storage) for agriculture and development, undermining the country’s forest conservation commitments. This repeal reinstated safeguards for these “residual forests,” which is crucial for achieving the 32% cover target by 2030. Read here       

Community-Driven Reforestation

Reforestation in Sri Lanka also relies on community leadership. 

1. The Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project made history by making Sri Lanka the first country to legally protect all its mangroves, safeguarding 21,782 acres and planting nearly 10,000 more. Women from 1,500 villages were trained and funded to protect mangroves and start sustainable businesses. Their grassroots vigilance has drastically reduced illegal mangrove clearing. Read here
2. Inland, the Community Forestry Program, supported by the Forest Department and international donors, enables villages to manage forests and benefit from agroforestry. Local groups receive seedlings, training, and sometimes financial support. These interventions help curb illegal logging by providing fuelwood and income alternatives. Read here

Citizen groups like Reforest Sri Lanka also conduct regular tree planting drives. Urban areas have adopted Miyawaki forest methods, transforming parks and schoolyards into green lungs.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s observance of International Forest Day 2025 under the theme “Forests and Food” marks a renewed focus on integrating ecological health with food security. From government action and community leadership to technological innovation, the country is charting a path toward sustainable forest management.

Yet challenges persist. Agricultural expansion remains a threat, and enforcement gaps need addressing. Continued community engagement, strong laws, smart technology, and climate adaptation will be essential. As Mr. Edirisinghe noted, “Planting artificial forests is not easy – but it is necessary. With patience and effort, we can reverse forest decline and build a more resilient future.”

By linking forests to food, livelihoods, and climate stability, Sri Lanka offers a compelling model for countries striving to balance human needs with environmental stewardship.

References:

https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/59293/sri-lanka/59296l#:~:text=The%20Palk%20Strait%20separates%20India,green%20vegetation%20can%20be%20seen

https://www.fao.org/international-day-of-forests-2025/en

https://www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk/cab/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=49&lang=en&dID=12343#:~:text=Preparation%20of%20the%20Reforestation%20and%20Tree%20Cover,carbon%20sequestrated%20by%20forests%20by%207%%20over

https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

https://english.news.cn/20240102/534b94d2c2f04ed297cf29a0d0177612/c.html?ref=futurecrunch.com#:~:text=COLOMBO%2C%20Jan.,to%20distribute%20benefits%20among%20them.

https://www.ft.lk/front-page/SLAF-conducts-first-ever-aerial-seed-bombing-operation/44-668809#:~:text=The%20Command%20Agro%20Unit%20in,by%20year%202030

Relief in Sri Lanka as key threat to nonprotected forests is repealed

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/12/sri-lanka-to-become-the-first-nation-in-the-world-to-protect-all-its-mangroves#:~:text=The%20%C2%A32,will%20be%20replanted

https://info.undp.org/docs/pdc/Documents/LKA/SLCFP%20Annual%20Report%202014.pdf

https://medium.com/@achalaarunalu/reforest-sri-lanka-8e16cf5749de

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