During Sri Lanka’s history, a significant change in its physical environment unfolded during the nineteenth century, primarily driven by the establishment of large-scale plantations. The lush forests that once dominated the landscape were significantly altered after the British defeated the Kandyans in 1815. The British, aiming to facilitate communication and commerce, constructed roads and later a railroad in 1867. This infrastructure development led to the clearance of forests along the roads, contributing to massive deforestation. The exploitation of forest resources not only disrupted the native habitat of wildlife, birds, and indigenous plants but also intensified human-wildlife conflicts due to the proximity of wild animals.
The rapidly growing population of the island during the nineteenth century, coupled with the expansion of agriculture, made the conditions worse for forests. The demand for land increased as coffee production expanded, resulting in the conversion of thousands of acres of forest to coffee plantations. The following shift to tea cultivation further impacted the environment, as the furnaces used to dry tea leaves necessitated wood fuel, accelerating deforestation.
Tea cultivation in Sri Lanka, forming an agricultural ecosystem, became a crucial aspect of the country’s economic landscape. However, a 1998 study revealed that the short-term focus on profitability, often prioritized over sustainability, had harmful effects. Factors such as aging tea bushes, slow replacement rates, and soil erosion were identified as challenges. Plantation managers, influenced by external factors like government policies and market prices, sometimes favoured immediate profits at the expense of long-term environmental management. Source: American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies
