Sri Lanka, Oct. 1 -- Twenty forest areas countrywide have been declared reserved forests through a Gazette notification, while a newly established museum at the Sandathenna Forestry Institute was opened at a ceremony held in Sandathenna with Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi in attendance.

The Gazette notification was signed by Minister Patabendi under the 'Vanaspati' National Programme, which is being implemented to protect Sri Lanka's forest resources for future generations.

The 20 forest areas include the Elgin Forest in Nuwara Eliya. The declaration covers nearly 9,538 hectares of forest land in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kegalle, Ampara, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura.

The Minister also opened the museum establish...