Updated: Aug 5

Forest Conservation is planting & protecting forests. We must protect trees, animals and water supply of our forests. It is very important that we need healthy forests. They help us to have stable climate, good air in the environment and regulate our water supply. They also provide home to many animals and also help many natural systems to work smoothly.

When British were ruling Sri Lanka, Mr. R. Thompson the first conservator of forest was appointed in 1887 along with the structure to support the concept. In 1899, the official department of forest was established. It is a government department which is responsible to maintain national parks, nature reserves and wildlife in Sri Lanka. Since 1949, this department has functioned as two entities. Those are Department of Forest Conservation and Department of Wildlife Conservation.

To commemorate the 100 years of forest conservation, stamps issued on 25th June 1987. The stamps were valued at Rs.5.00 and Rs.0.75, which carries an image of a forest and a national tree of Sri Lanka.

There has been a series of stamps issued on 27th November 1981 to mark the forest conservation concept. The value of those stamps was Rs.5.00, Rs.0.50 and Rs.0.35.

Imeth N Rajapakse