Archives

Karanampotha hill area reduced to heap of ash

by Galewela group correspondent

Karanampotha hill an area of about 500 acres bodering Pallekele and Andagala from the North, Madahapola Kanda and Immihaminnegama from the West and Beligamuwa and Walakumbura from the East has been reduced to a heap of ash due to fires in the area allegedly by the unauthorised chena cultivators.

Beligamuwa oya 180 miles long, regarded as the longest oya in the country flowing to the sea at Kalpitiya begins at Karanampotha hills. The Forest Department cultivated Terpantine on this hill in the year 1977. The contractors were authorised to fell the grown-up timber at the time of Environment Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake. Several small water-ways running across Diulgaskotuwa, Beligamuwa, Kospotha, Hombawa, Andagala, Bambaragaswewa Grama Niladhari divisions have now dried-up. A large number of wild animals have perished in the fires. Dambulla Community Resources Development Centre has reported this to Galewela Divisional Secretary and other responsible authorities.

S. D. A. Fernando, the secretary of the said local NGO told the 'Daily News' that if speedy action is not taken very dangerous soil erosion and even devastating earthslips could occur with the Maha seasonal rains expected at the end of September.

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