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 significance<br>
1. At least 5% of Sri Lanka’s land area identified nationally for Environmentally Sensitive Area designation in national scale up plan<br>
2. 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)<br>
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)<br>