Sri Lanka Plans to Strengthen Protection of Hortain Plains

Sri Lanka is planning to introduce measures to limit visitor numbers to Hortan Plains National Park.

The move aims to protect its highly sensitive mountain ecosystem and ensure its long-term conservation.

Under the proposed measures, authorities plan to introduce a daily visitor cap and an online advance booking system, including time slots.

This the environmentalist say will better regulate the number of visitors entering the park at any given time and reduce the environmental pressure caused by increasing visitor numbers.

An adjusted pricing strategy is also being considered.

The objective is to discourage excessive visitor pressure to Hortain Plains while encouraging high-value, environmentally responsible tourism.

Although the proposal is still at an early stage, the move could be introduced in the near future, given the ecological importance of Horton Plains and the need to manage its visitor carrying capacity.

Horton Plains forms part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

The UNESCO property also includes the Peak Wilderness Protected Area and the Knuckles Conservation Forest.

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka are recognised as a major biodiversity hotspot, supporting a remarkable range of endemic and threatened species.

The need for effective visitor management is particularly important because Horton Plains attracts a wide range of visitors.

Among them consists of hikers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, photographers and tourists seeking its iconic landscapes and viewpoints.

Environmentalists says if visitor numbers are not properly managed, increased footfall can contribute to pressure on trails, vegetation, wildlife habitats and waste-management systems.

UNESCO has previously highlighted the importance of assessing the carrying capacity of heavily visited areas as part of effective management of the Central Highlands.

Environmentalists and tourism stakeholders are increasingly advocating a stronger eco-tourism approach, where tourism revenue and visitor experiences are balanced with the protection of the natural environment.

A properly managed booking system could also help distribute visitors throughout the day, reduce overcrowding at popular locations and provide authorities with valuable data on visitor patterns.

Horton Plains is located in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, with access primarily through the Nuwara Eliya District.

Its high-altitude grasslands, montane forests and unique biodiversity make it one of Sri Lanka’s most important natural landscapes.

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