Sri Lanka, Aug. 31 -- Authorities have taken a decision to gazette 1,500 hectares as protected areas in an urgent measure to safeguard Nuwara Eliya's environment and watershed areas.

The decision was taken at a special District Co-ordinating Committee meeting aimed at environmental conservation, promoting sustainable tourism, and protecting watershed areas in the Nuwara Eliya District.

During the meeting, instructions were issued to expedite the issuance of Environmental Protection Licences (EPL) for hotels and other business establishments in the Nuwara Eliya tourism zone in accordance with proper procedures, while conducting continuous inspections to ensure proper wastewater disposal and prevent the pollution of water sources.

The Di...