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Tougher laws for forestry offences

by Tharika Goonathilake

Amendments to the Forestry Act now being drafted will bring in tougher laws for forestry offences, ensure public and private sector cooperation in conservation activities and regularise timber licences and monitoring procedures.

"The scope of forestry related issues have undergone tremendous changes within the last few years. We need to make the necessary amendments to deal with the problems and issues to keep up with the present day needs," Forestry Chief H.M Bandarathilake said.

The present Forestry Act, was last amended in 1995.

The final draft of the amended act was reviewed yesterday and will be presented for Cabinet approval shortly, he said.

The move, is part of the Government's 100 day program and initiated under the directive of Environment and Natural Resources Minister Rukman Senanayake.

As part of this initiative measures will also be taken to establish two new timber registering mobile services in Kurunegala, Gampaha and Kandy in addition to the new mobile services which were commenced in Kegalle and Colombo. 

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