September 06, Colombo (LNW): The scenic Nildiya Pokuna in Ella is set to receive formal tourism-zone status under a new government initiative aimed at strengthening the management and protection of the popular attraction.
Environment Minister Dr Dammika Patabendi said the government is preparing to issue a Gazette Notification officially bringing the site under the administration of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The notification is expected to be signed tomorrow.
The move follows a recent Cabinet decision approving the introduction of the legal provisions and regulations required to establish the area as a designated tourism zone.
Authorities are expected to focus on maintaining the site’s environmental value while ensuring that tourism activities are managed in a more structured manner. The designation could also provide a clearer regulatory framework for visitors and tourism-related activities at the attraction.
Nildiya Pokuna, located in the Ella area, has become an increasingly popular destination among both local visitors and tourists drawn to the region’s natural landscapes.