This article highlights the negative effects of excessive deforestation for the purpose of new tea cultivation in Sri Lanka over the last 30 years. First, some insights are provided into wider econometric discussions in the context of global academic efforts towards better understanding of the links between environment and development. Later parts of this article focus on Sri Lanka and specific ecological issues of sustainability. The article indicates some statistically supported progress in Sri Lanka’s realisation that export promotion at all costs will have pernicious long-term environmental effects. In light of available data, it is argued that still more can and needs to be done to find an appropriate balance between economic growth and sustainable development.
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