📈 ADB & Govt Launch SUWERP for Highland Watershed Protection

• Key Initiatives & Framework • Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government advance Sri Lanka Upper Watershed Ecological Restoration Program (SUWERP). • Establishes Upper Watershed Management Authority (UWMA) following Cabinet approval in June 2026. • Launches Climate Action and Nature Positive Investment (CANOPI) Fund for long-term capital. • Environmental Assessment & Drivers • Major threats identified: severe soil erosion, degraded water quality, and pesticide contamination. • Tea plantations and vegetable plots generate average topsoil loss of 1.2 tons/ha annually; unmanaged bare lands suffer highest erosion. • Highest erosion concentrated in Welimada–Nuwara Eliya hotspot; river flow peaks in December. • Water testing across 21 locations breached safe drinking limits at 13 sites due to high aluminum, iron, and chemical pesticides. • Economic Proposals & Funding Models • Proposed 1% levy on energy and water sectors could raise ~Rs 23 Bn annually. • Reinvesting Rs 9 Bn can employ 10,000 workers at Rs 75,000/month for restoration. • Incorporates 20 Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) to leverage workforce and management capacity. • Uses Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and shadow pricing to lower Rantambe Reservoir siltation by 3x to 5x.