The Knuckles Conservation Area lies in Sri Lanka?s Central Province, falling within the Kandy and Matale Districts, and spans an area of approximately 21,0000 hectares. As of 2009 Knuckles Conservation Forest has formed a part of the designated Cetral Highlands of Sri Lanka World Heritage Property. The areas? increasing popularity as a tourist destination, coupled with other human activities including encroachment linked to cultivation, and illegal logging has exacerbated the deterioration of this area. Furthermore, the region has also been subjected to natural disasters such as landslides and floods, no doubt aggravated by various human impacts to the landscape and the continued absence of a legal buffer zone.
Narangamuwa and Lakegala Gramanilari divisions secretariat of Laggala Pallegama which is important in terms of resettlement of Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga project, converting shrub forests into human settlements disrupting some of the ecosystem?s services. Biodiversity based livelihoods are central to these grama niladhari divisions, be it agriculture or tourism. At present resident?s relationship to the environment is being regulated with little awareness-creation. Therefore, it is important to introduce bio diversity-based income generation opportunities with promotion of the traditional knowledge on health and agriculture