Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa today instructed the Central Environment Authority (CEA) to take immediate action to put an end to the alleged destruction of forests at Thawsamadu in the Wilpattu National Park.
The minister’s instructions came in the wake of discussions he had with Sri Lanka Haritha Organisation (SLHO) -- a leading environment protection group. SLHO provided the minister and his officials with facts and figures including visual data on how vast areas of forest lands in Wilpattu are being systematically destroyed by people who are allegedly supported by influential politicians in the area.
The minister instructed the Forest Conservation Department and the State Timber Corporation officials to frame charges against public officials who assisted those engaged in illicit deforestation. SLHO Project Manager Bandu Kariyawasam said a proposal approved by the Chief Ministers to handover certain forest land to Divisional Secretaries does not augur well for the protection of forests in the country.
He stressed it would lead to major environmental issues if the proposal was carried out. Mr. Kariyawasam requested the minister to publish a newspaper notice to inform the people that forests came under the Forest Conservation Department and the Environment Ministry was responsible to protect and safeguard these valuable natural and national resources.
The CEA’s Forests Conservator General H.M.P. Hitisekara and State Timber Corporation Director Aruna Adhikari assisted the minister at the discussion. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)
The minister’s instructions came in the wake of discussions he had with Sri Lanka Haritha Organisation (SLHO) -- a leading environment protection group. SLHO provided the minister and his officials with facts and figures including visual data on how vast areas of forest lands in Wilpattu are being systematically destroyed by people who are allegedly supported by influential politicians in the area.
The minister instructed the Forest Conservation Department and the State Timber Corporation officials to frame charges against public officials who assisted those engaged in illicit deforestation. SLHO Project Manager Bandu Kariyawasam said a proposal approved by the Chief Ministers to handover certain forest land to Divisional Secretaries does not augur well for the protection of forests in the country.
He stressed it would lead to major environmental issues if the proposal was carried out. Mr. Kariyawasam requested the minister to publish a newspaper notice to inform the people that forests came under the Forest Conservation Department and the Environment Ministry was responsible to protect and safeguard these valuable natural and national resources.
The CEA’s Forests Conservator General H.M.P. Hitisekara and State Timber Corporation Director Aruna Adhikari assisted the minister at the discussion. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)
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