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| Thursday, 28 October 2004 |
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by Florence Wickramage A reforestation program of 500 acres of the Maduru Oya National Park with 6500 species of rare medicinal and other plants was launched recently in the Aadivasi Village of Dambana by Environment and Natural Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie. The reforestation program has been drawn up by the Department of Wild Life Conservation (DWLC) on the instructions of Minister Fowzie. The launching of the tree-planting program was attended by the Aadivasi Community led by Chieftain Uruvarige Vanniyala Aththo, students of adjoining schools and residents of the area who planted 200 plants on the same day. DWLC Director General Dayananda Kariyawasam told the 'Daily News' that the launching of the tree planting program in Maduru Oya National Park coincides with the rainy season which has set in this area. The new plants have been located without disturbing the growth of the existing trees in the National Park. Species of medicinal plants locally known as Aralu, Bulu, Nelli, Kohomba and other trees of timber value such as Koan, Veera, Kottamba and Thelambu will be among the 6500 trees to be planted. Kariyawasam also said that the Aadivasi Community who were issued with identity cards to enter the National Park have pledged support to the DWLC in looking after the plants. Speaking on the occasion Vanniyala Aththo said that trees in the National Park has been destroyed due to Chena cultivations within the park. As such the launching of the tree-planting program was a timely move by the DWLC to preserve and maintain the natural forest cover. Uva Province Chief Minister Vijithamuni Soysa, Environment Ministry Secretary D. Dissanayake and other officials also participated. |
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