I will never allow anybody to pollute environment - Fowzie

by Florence Wickramage

It will be difficult for a politician whatever party he belongs to, to destroy the environment if communities get-together and form associations to protect it.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie made this observation after opening the new Visitor Recreation Centre, the Nature Field Centre and the Discussion Centre at the Jathika Namal Uyana recently.

The Visitor Recreation Centre was put up jointly by the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources and Tourism and the Nature Field Centre by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). Minister Fowzie also laid the foundation stone for the construction of another Nature Field Centre at Namal Uyana.

Minister Fowzie emphasised that he had repeatedly requested politicians of both major parties to refrain from using polythene for their decorations during election time. "Even if we lose the elections and I lose my Ministry, I will never allow anybody to pollute the environment," the Minister said.

The custodian of the Jathika Namal Uyana Vanavasi Rahula Thera said that increasing numbers of visitors come to the Jathika Namal Uyana on holidays to view the pre-historic 500 million year old seven Rose Quartz Mountains. Affording recreation facilities for visitors had been a problem which has been solved by the setting up of the Recreation Centre, Rahula Thera said.

Environment and Natural Resources Ministry's Additional Secretary Ms. R. M. C. Udugampola, officials of the Tourism Ministry and the CEA were present at the function.