– The Environment Ministry has launched a new initiative to strengthen environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts at the grassroots level by empowering Development Officers attached to District and Divisional Secretariats across the country.

A special program aimed at streamlining the rural-level environmental conservation mechanism was held today (9) at the Ministry premises under the patronage of Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody.Heads of institutions affiliated with the Ministry, Additional Secretaries and other ministry officials also participated in the program.

The initiative is being implemented through Development Officers assigned to 21 of the country’s 25 District Secretariats and 275 of the 341 Divisional Secretariats. According to the Ministry, the program  is intended to coordinate all environment-related institutions at the grassroots level and provide swift solutions to environmental issues and public grievances.

The officers will also be tasked with monitoring watersheds, forests, wetlands and coastal areas in their respective regions, identifying vulnerable locations, collecting environmental data and preparing comprehensive reports.Another key objective is to guide rural communities towards environmentally friendly economic activities while strengthening environmental education and awareness programs at the community level.As part of the program, specialized residential training in areas including air resource management, climate change and environmental law will be introduced.The Ministry said financial allocations required for local environmental projects and field activities will also be channeled directly to District and Divisional Secretariats to ensure their effective implementation.

Following requirements identified during an initial round of discussions held in July 2025, laptops have been provided to 19 District Secretariats, while communication SIM cards have been distributed to 290 officers attached to the participating District and Divisional Secretariats.The SIM cards are expected to improve coordination among officers when responding to environmental issues at the local level.The Ministry is also taking steps to provide additional office equipment, release funds for projects and expand residential and overseas training opportunities for environmental officers.

The Ministry said the initiative is aimed at moving away from isolated environmental programmes and establishing a stronger institutional and community-based mechanism in which government institutions and communities work together towards sustainable development and a greener way of life.It added that modern infrastructure, skilled human resources and a systematic monitoring mechanism are being introduced to ensure that environmental policies produce measurable and transparent results at the grassroots level.