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Stern action against illicit timber fellers - Minister

by Florence Wickramage

The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry will not hesitate to take the sternest possible action against those who violate the Fauna and Flora Ordinance to fell timber from state controlled forests and national parks. However powerful the lobbying be, there will be no deviation from the course of legal action against those violators Environment and Natural Resources Minister Rukman Senanayake said.

The Minister made these observations after officially launching the National Tree Planting Campaign at the Ministry premises after planting a Na (Ironwood) tree, on Tuesday.

The government is being accused of turning a blind eye to illicit timber felling and that "planting trees in the city was an eye-wash". The Minister pointed out that 22% of forests and national parks are reserves and sanctuaries directly under government control. The government has taken a series of actions to reverse this misconception and was earnest in protecting the available trees and forests.

The concept of Home gardens has been very successful and 40% of the country's timber requirements are met by home gardens. It is with this factor in view that the Environment Ministry is encouraging the planting of endemic tree species and those of medicinal value in home gardens and tree sanctuaries. Tree species like Teak, Mahogany and Rubber plantations are necessary for the well-being of the country.

The Minister also observed that there were speculations as to the repeated change in the National Tree Planting Day. September was usually a dry month and farmers commence their Maha cultivations with the advent of rains in the month of October. The dry zone areas of the country were seriously affected. As such the Cabinet decided to change the National Tree Planting Day and the month for October since during this month many parts of the country receive rains.

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