Environment issues of sri lanka Deforestation Sri Lanka’s central and southern parts are home to montane forests , sub-montane forests and to lowland rainforests . In contrast, sparse forests, mangroves, riverine dry forests and monsoon forests are located in the dry zone. These forest covers in Sri Lanka have been greatly reduced by legal as well as illegal forest clearing . [3] Deforestation because of a tea plantation in Sri Lanka Due to deforestation in Sri Lanka the size of land covered by natural forests decreased from 80% in 1820 to 43% in 1948. This was partly caused by British colonialism from 1801 to 1948 which increased the amount of tea , coffee and rubber plantations . The natural forest cover further decreased to 23% in 2000. [1] In 2010, 29% of Sri Lanka’s area was covered by forests (this number includes forest plantations). [4] Drivers of recent forest degradation are ...