The Rubber Development Department and the Survey Department of Sri Lanka have jointly launched a rubber land mapping program using advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
The initiative aims to ensure compliance with the European Union’s new regulations that prevent global deforestation and restrict the trade of products linked to deforestation. Under these rules, exporters of rubber and related raw materials to EU countries must accurately map cultivation areas to demonstrate that their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation.
As part of the program, the two departments are implementing a comprehensive GIS-based mapping of rubber lands, with the goal of collecting geographical coordinates of all small-scale rubber plantations by 2025, the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure stated.
Following the mapping, the Rubber Development Department will issue QR codes to farmers free of charge, which must be presented to traders when selling rubber products.
The Department emphasized that small estate owners’ participation is essential during field surveys conducted by Survey and Rubber Development Department officers. Estate owners are requested to provide their rubber planting license, land deeds or other proof of ownership, and the land plan to facilitate accurate identification of the rubber lands.
