Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustenance of Ecosystem Services in Environmentally Sensitive Areas

To operationalize Environment Sensitive Areas (ESAs) as a mechanism for mainstreaming biodiversity management into development in areas of high conservation significance1. At least 5% of Sri Lanka’s land area identified nationally for Environmentally Sensitive Area designation in national scale up plan2. Populations of globally threatened species within Wilpattu and Kala Wewa ESAs maintained indicating effective ecosystems management and human-wildlife conflict mitigation (indicators species selected Elephas maximus, Panthera pardus, and Sousa chinensis)3. 100% critical habitats are maintained within Wilpattu and Kala Wewa ESAs are maintained for connectivity and resilience (Salt Marsh, Mangrove forests, Riverine forests, Moist Mixed Evergreen Forest, Scrub on floodplains)