Sri Lanka, July 24 -- Eight mangrove forests in the Puttalam district will be declared as new reserves in line with the national programme to protect the country's forest system for future generations. The Ministry of Environment took steps to execute the declarations.

Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi is scheduled to sign the relevant gazette notifications during the national ceremony held at the Ministry of Environment on July 27, coinciding with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem falling on July 26.

The eight newly reserved mangrove systems comprise the 13.06 hectare Thilliyadiya Mangrove Reserve in Kalpitiya, the 10.91 hectare Sammattawadiya Mangrove Reserve in Kalpitiya which is a high...