Ma-Oya rehabilitation project under way

by Florence Wickramage

A Ma-Oya River rehabilitation programme has been launched by the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry to arrest further destruction of the Ma Oya banks already seriously damaged by extensive sand and clay mining.

Under the direction of Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M.Fowzie, the rehabitation programme is afforded funds and expertise by the Gemology and Mines Bureau. The programme is jointly supported by the Gampaha District Building Contractors and Suppliers.

The Environment Ministry has imposed a total ban on the use of Backhoe machinery for sand mining and the mining of clay has been totally banned. Sand and clay mining is being done to support the brick and pottery industry in the area.

It had been observed that the Ma-Oya banks had given way in several places resulting in loss of land area in the vicinity. To prevent further erosion the planting of Kumbuk and Bamboo has been undertaken to stabilise the banks.

In launching the programme Minister Fowzie said that the Ministry will have to initiate legal action for unreasonable use of backhoe machinery to mine sand and clay despite the bans imposed by the Ministry. He further appealed to the people to resort to traditional methods to prevent further damage to the environment.