Archives

by Tharika Goonathilake

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking public cooperation to establish a special flower garden in the Mahamevuna Uyana, Anuradhapura for the benefit of devotees.

Those willing to participate in this endeavour are requested to hand over flowering plants to the plant counters which will be opened at the premises on April 7.

Among the flowering plants which have been requested, range from Pichcha, Idda, Vathusuddha, Gardenia, Kelanitissa, Monaramal and Koboleela.

Under the first phase of the project, a 250 square foot plot of land will be utilised for the garden, which is to be maintained by the Prisons Department.

Additional plant nurseries will also be established to expand the flower garden within the coming months to ensure a regular supply of flowers for the devotees.

The establishment of this flower garden is part of a large program aimed at developing this sacred site while conserving its environs which has deteriorated in the last few years, Environment Ministry Secretary Thosapala Hewage told the `Daily News' yesterday.

The presence of monkeys has also been seen as a bugbear to the growing of flowering plants as they destroy the flowers which has led to the non-availability of flowers in their desired quantities , especially on days such as Poya when the demand for flowers is high.

Home to the world's oldest tree and believed to be one, of the world's oldest flower gardens, the Mahamevuna Uyana Gardens Development Concept, is a part of the Ministry's 100-day program.

Demarcating proper boundaries, establishing meditation sites, a herbarium, increasing visitor facilities and providing an opportunity to villagers to generate an income through the participation in these projects are some of the other key features of this project.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager