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Bio-diversity park to afford opportunities for research

by Florence Wickramage

The development of the bio-diversity park at Oliyagankele has non-commenced and once completed it will afford opportunities for research and study, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Ministry Sunil Sarath Perera told the 'Daily News'.

The Ministry has drawn up a comprehensive development program for the bio-diversity park which is expected to be completed by the year 2004. A degraded forest patch had been identified to be developed for the purpose.

A detailed study of the natural forest in the area has been undertaken for identifying tree and shrub species and a list of plants in the park has been finalised. The park will consist of an Education Centre and nature trails will be established for canopy walks to enable studies on bio-diversity.

Several on-going awareness programs have been scheduled for schoolchildren, teachers and university students to enhance their knowledge on the environment. These include education exhibitions, workshops on bio-diversity, nature trails and reading material. Reforestation of degraded forest patches and natural regeneration of forest cover will be undertaken during the entire project period.

Work undertaken so far including the renovation of two buildings as Education Centres, designing, landscaping, education programs and reading materials had cost the Ministry Rs. 200,000.

The development and improvement of the bio-diversity park commenced under the Ministry's 100 day action program and the ultimate beneficiaries of this program will be schoolchildren, university students, researchers and the public, the Additional Secretary said. 

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