Integration of Biodiversity Conservation with Sustainable Ecotourism in Sri Lanka

A qualitative study identifies six critical themes essential for integrating biodiversity conservation with sustainable ecotourism in Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include strengthening governance and enforcement, investing in capacity and infrastructure, promoting genuine community partnerships, prioritizing education and interpretation, ensuring meaningful stakeholder participation, and leveraging digitalization. The research, based on semi-structured interviews with 15 frontline forest and wildlife officers across five sites, provides an evidence-based framework for enhancing the sustainability of Sri Lanka's ecotourism sector while safeguarding its unique biodiversity. The findings underscore that the synergy between conservation and ecotourism is not automatic but must be consciously built through addressing operational challenges and empowering local stakeholders.

Ekanayake, E.J.M.J.K., Fernando, H.C., Widyasekera, E.C.S., & Manchanayakke, S.M.A.K. (2026). Integration of Biodiversity Conservation with Sustainable Ecotourism in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 30. https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v30.8847