On June 2, 2025, Sri Lanka's Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi officially declared the Nilgala Forest as a protected reserve, coinciding with International Environment Day. The forest, spanning approximately 40,683 hectares, includes four key conservation areas: Madagama, Bibile, Nilgala, and Inginiyagala, with the Bibile region serving as the core conservation area.
Nilgala Forest is renowned for its unique savanna ecosystem, characterized by open grasslands interspersed with trees, a rare habitat type in Sri Lanka. This landscape supports a diverse range of endemic species, including the painted francolin, jungle bush quail, and the yellow-footed green pigeon, all confined to this region within the country. Additionally, the forest is home to the endemic rock frog, Nannophrys naeyakei, discovered in 2007.
The forest holds significant cultural importance for the Indigenous Vedda community, who consider Nilgala a sacred space rich in medicinal plants and spiritual significance. The community has historically engaged in conservation efforts, including a notable ceremony in 2014 where 1,000 trees were symbolically ordained to protect the forest from deforestation.
Despite its ecological and cultural value, Nilgala Forest has faced threats from illegal logging, land encroachment, and development pressures. The official declaration as a protected reserve aims to safeguard this unique ecosystem and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on it.