The Department of Forest Conservation was started in 1887 denoting the commencement of forest conservation and scientific forestry in Sri Lanka.
The Forest Ordinance No 16 of 1907, with its subsequent multiple amendments specifically with 1966 and 2009 amendments, is the main legislative tool that empowers forest officers to implement their duties in relation to the protection of forests and plant resources. From 2009, the Ordinance was substituted as ‘the Forest Conservation Ordinance’
Mission: ‘Conserve and develop the forest resources in Sri Lanka to ensure the prosperity of the nation’
Vision: ‘Sustainable management of forest and tree resources providing environmental services and meeting timber needs for the country while contributing to the national economy and well-being of the people’.
Objectives:
- To conserve forests for posterity, with particular regard to biodiversity, soils, water, and historical, cultural, religious and aesthetic values.
- To increase the tree cover and productivity of the forests to meet the needs of present and future generations for forest products and services.
- To enhance the contribution of forestry to the welfare of the rural population, and strengthen the national economy, with special attention paid to equity in economic development.
The Department is headed by the Conservator General of Forests assisted by three additional Conservator Generals of Forests for mainly the streams of (i) Forest Protection, Operations and Management (ii) Research, Education & Training and (iii) Human Resources Management and Institutional Development.
Key functions of the Forest Department are planned, implemented and monitored by the Head Office and In order to implement these technical functions, the Department maintain nine technical divisions. (i) Social Forestry & Extension (ii) Silviculture & Forest Plantation Management (iii) Planning & Monitoring, (iv) Forest Protection & Law Enforcement (v) Environment Management & Geo Resources (vi) Geographical Information Systems & Forest Inventory (vii) Ecotourism and (viii) Bio Diversity & Watershed Management divisions are headed by Conservators of Forests. Division for (ix) Research, Education and Training is headed by Additional Conservator General of Forests.
There are two regional research stations at Kumbalpola and Badulla. The Sri Lanka Forestry Institute (SLFI) which is located at Nuwaraeliya and Forestry Field Training Centre at Inamaluwa are mainly established to train the Forest Officers. In addition, Finance Division, Human Resources Management, Administration and Institutional Development Division and Internal Audit Division provide supporting services to the better management of the Department.
To decentralize the management of the forests under the jurisdiction of the department, the country is divided into five Forest Regions viz. Western and North-western Region, North-eastern and North-central Region, Central-Uva Region, Southern-Sabaragamuwa Region and the North Region which are headed by Regional Deputy Conservators of Forests.
These five forest Regions are altogether buildup of 23 Forest Divisions headed by Divisional Forest Officers. Forest Divisions are divided into 81 Forest Ranges and these Forest Ranges are further sub - divided into Forest Beats and Forest Field Assistant (FA) Divisions.
Contact Details
- Department of Forest Conservation
No: 82, Rajamalwatta Road,
Battaramulla. - +94 11 – 2 866631 /2
- +94 011 – 2866633
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- forestdept.gov.lk