Project launched aiming at combating climate change in Knuckles forest reserve

A special project has been initiated to address potential climate change issues in the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Knuckles Forest Reserve Zone, in Matale.

The project is being financed by the Green Climate Fund. The Matale District Media Unit reports that USD 50 million have been allocated for the said project which is set to be put in force for a period of six years, from 2023 to 2028.

The Department of Forestry is among the 38 institutions involved in this initiative.

The project aims to develop an integrated management plan for rural agriculture and plantation land in the Knuckles catchment area to enhance climate change resilience centering on protecting plants and animals, sustaining lives through water resource management, improving cropping patterns, rehabilitating Rivaston Road, establishing soil conservation laboratories, and improving tank embankments.

Government representatives were briefed on this matter at a programme held on December 5, headed by Mrs. Tejathi Thilakaratne Matale District Secretary, at the Matale District Secretariat.

The awareness program revealed that the project's benefits will cover over 6,722,518 hectares in the Knuckles region.

In addition, the District Media Unit further said that the proposed project will benefit five districts of Puttalam and Polonnaruwa.

Text and pix by: Indika Aruna Kumara - Naula

The ecosystem surrounding the Knuckles mountain range in Matale