Sri Lanka’s forest cover was estimated by the FAO to be 26.6% of the land area or 1.7 million hectares in 2010. Bulk of the forest estate is dense natural forests and is mainly situated in the dry zone of the island. Based on the last forest cover assessments of the 1990s, FAO extrapolated declining forest cover of 0.6 to 0.3% over the past decade (FAO, 2010). However, a district-wise analysis suggests a possible overall rise in forest cover already in the late 1990s, with some districts showing significant deforestation and others increases in forest cover (Ratnayake et al., 2002).  A 2010 national forest cover assessment has been finalized but not yet published. This assessment may help shed more light on forest trends and drivers. TROF (Trees outside forest areas) systems in...