GAMPOLA, Sri Lanka — June 8, 2025. The Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, a prominent ecological and cultural landmark in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, is the focus of a new initiative aimed at elevating its status as a hub for sustainable nature-based tourism. The Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL) has launched an extensive research project to assess the site’s biodiversity and recreational impact, with the ultimate goal of balancing conservation with eco-tourism development.
Located near Gampola, Ambuluwawa is renowned for its iconic spiral tower and sweeping panoramic views. However, the site’s ecological value runs deeper, encompassing a diverse range of habitats shaped by its position at the crossroads of Sri Lanka’s dry, intermediate, and wet climatic zones. This unique positioning has given rise to a mosaic of ecosystems—evergreen forests, rocky outcrops, cultivated lands, and botanical gardens—home to numerous endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna.
Despite this biodiversity, scientific studies of Ambuluwawa remain scarce. The IEPSL-led study, involving a multidisciplinary team of environmental scientists and conservationists, seeks to bridge this knowledge gap. Key components of the research include comprehensive biodiversity inventories, habitat mapping, and the identification of species of conservation concern. The project will also assess the ecological footprint of tourism, examining how increasing visitor numbers affect the area’s natural balance.
While the site has gained popularity as both a spiritual retreat and a recreational destination, rising footfall has brought environmental challenges. Issues such as trail erosion, litter accumulation, trampling of vegetation, and noise pollution have raised alarms among conservationists. To evaluate these impacts, the study will employ field-based environmental monitoring, compare heavily trafficked zones with undisturbed areas, and gather data through visitor surveys and stakeholder interviews.
The findings are expected to guide the development of a sustainable management framework for the site. Proposed measures include improved trail infrastructure, enhanced waste disposal systems, strategic visitor flow management, and educational outreach programs. These efforts aim to align Ambuluwawa’s development with Sri Lanka’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), setting a precedent for integrating conservation and tourism at other ecological sites nationwide.
The project’s broader ambition is to establish Ambuluwawa as a model of eco-tourism that harmonizes cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. As global interest in sustainable travel grows and the need for biodiversity conservation intensifies, initiatives like this serve as critical interventions in preserving natural and cultural heritage.
IEPSL has called on government authorities, tourism operators, and the general public to actively support the research and contribute to safeguarding the future of this unique biodiversity complex. Through collaborative effort, Ambuluwawa can emerge not only as a national treasure but as an international exemplar of responsible tourism and ecological resilience.
