After the critique of the continuous massive timber harvest
promoted by the Forest Master Plan in 1988 (Gunatilleke,
1988), the government imposed a logging moratorium from
natural forests in the wet zone. Extensive biophysical surveys
were undertaken under an Accelerated Conservation Review
(ACR) in 1989-1990 and National Conservation Review
(NCR) since 1992. Based on the results, 32 tbrests containing
endemic flora and fauna have been selected as Conservation
Forests for strict protection with a total extent of approximately
60,000 ha (Liyanage, 1995).