Knuckles Reserve Roads Banned

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Environment has definitively prohibited the construction of new roads and the repair of old ones within the World Heritage-listed Knuckles Reserve Forest. This critical decision, announced by environment Minister Dammika Patabendi, prioritizes the fragile ecosystem over immediate access concerns.

The Ministry's stance comes despite urgent requests to reopen routes for essential supplies to villages like Meemure and Kaikawala, which were cut off by recent landslides. Authorities concluded that any road development would pose significant environmental risks and cause irreversible damage to the sensitive forest.

Minister Patabendi confirmed that the decision followed extensive discussions with various institutions, including the Ministry of Defence. The Forest Conservation Department had strongly advised against such projects, highlighting the severe impact that even refurbishment of old roads would have on the Knuckles range's ecosystem.

Concerns were also raised by the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, whose Secretary General, Professor Prabath Jayasinghe, warned that road development could jeopardize the Central Highlands' World Heritage status. UNESCO's Regional Office in New Delhi has already sought clarifications, indicating heightened international scrutiny.

Initially, the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA) had sought permission for an 18-kilometer route through the forest, but this proposal was later withdrawn. Instead, the PRDA is now focusing on clearing and restoring an existing road from Hunasgiriya, with 11 kilometers already completed, according to PRDA General Manager K. Puwakgolla.

Environmental groups, including the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), have been vocal in their opposition. They alleged that some road requests were pretexts for expanding tourism ventures within the conservation forest, which is illegal under the Forest Ordinance.

This firm decision underscores the government's commitment to protecting the Knuckles Reserve, a vital biodiversity hotspot and critical watershed, from human-induced degradation. The Ministry of Environment emphasized that safeguarding this unique natural heritage is paramount for both national and global ecological balance.

• The Knuckles Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Spanning over 155 square kilometers across the Kandy and Matale districts, it features 34 peaks and is a critical watershed, feeding major rivers like the Mahaweli. Its distinctive climatic and topographic factors support a rich array of endemic flora and fauna, making its conservation globally significant.

• The decision to halt road construction came after severe landslides, exacerbated by recent events like Cyclone Ditwah, cut off access to remote villages such as Meemure and Kaikawala. While acknowledging the humanitarian need for access, Minister K. D. Lal Kantha questioned whether preserving World Heritage status should outweigh urgent humanitarian needs, according to a December 12, 2025, Daily Mirror report. However, the Ministry of Environment ultimately prioritized environmental protection.

• Key stakeholders involved in this controversy include the Ministry of Environment, the Forest Conservation Department, and the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, all advocating for the reserve's protection. On the other side, local communities and some political figures initially pushed for road access, citing humanitarian concerns and the need for essential supplies. Environmental organizations like CEJ and MONLAR played a crucial role in highlighting the ecological risks.

• The implications of this decision are far-reaching, reinforcing Sri Lanka's commitment to international conservation agreements and potentially influencing future development projects in sensitive areas. Professor Jayasinghe of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO warned that failure to address concerns could lead to the Central Highlands being placed on UNESCO's danger list or even losing its World Heritage status, which would have significant environmental, diplomatic, and economic consequences.

• The Knuckles Conservation Forest has a history of conservation efforts, being declared a conservation forest in 2002 and later an Environmental Protection Area in 2007. Despite these protections, the area faces ongoing threats from plastic pollution, poorly planned development, and encroachment for cultivation, as highlighted by the ZeroPlastic Movement and the UNDP. Community involvement in conservation, as seen in initiatives supported by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), is crucial for its long-term sustainability.

• The controversy also brought to light allegations of illegal road development projects within the reserve, with the Centre for Environmental Justice formally requesting UNESCO's urgent intervention regarding an eight-kilometer forest trail. CEJ Executive Director Dilena Pathragoda raised concerns over alleged involvement of public officials and political figures, warning of risks to governance and accountability. This underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcing environmental regulations in protected areas.

• Looking ahead, the focus will be on the successful restoration of the existing Hunasgiriya road to ensure villagers' access without compromising the Knuckles Reserve. This approach seeks to balance humanitarian needs with environmental protection, setting a precedent for managing similar situations in other ecologically sensitive regions. Continued vigilance from conservation groups and international bodies will be vital to ensure adherence to environmental safeguards.