In 2022, the Federation of Environmental Organizations (FEO) took a significant step in conserving biodiversity by including Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) in Sri Lanka in their habitat management program. This decision was made due to the park’s unique ecological significance and the need to address environmental challenges threatening its delicate ecosystem.

The Horton Plains National Park is also home to the endangered Black-Cheek Lizard (Calotes nigrilabris).

Endemic to the lush rainforests of Sri Lanka, these lizards are under threat due to habitat loss and climate change. The Federation of Environmental Organisations (FEO) is actively removing invasive alien plant species within the Horton Plains National Park, their primary habitat. These lizards feed on the alien species (IAPS) Ulex europaeus plants but removing of the plants could impact their survival.

Thanks to a grant from the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, comprehensive studies ensured that the FEO understood their reliance on the IAPS plants, and it would not impact their survival. Research indicates they also feed on local “Rhododendron” plants, suggesting that removing of Ulex europaeus plants won’t harm them.

The successful removal of European Gorse from Horton Plains National Park and the positive response of the Black-Cheek Lizard underscore the significance of proactive conservation efforts. It serves as an example of how targeted management interventions can restore the balance of fragile ecosystems and safeguard the biodiversity of our planet. The inclusion of HPNP in the FEO’s habitat management program sets a precedent for the preservation of other vulnerable habitats, contributing to the global conservation agenda.