More forests destroyed

B. W. Eheliyagoda Kegalle special correspondent

The destruction caused to State owned forests has become a common occurrence in certain places in the Kegalle district and according to information the most affected forests conservations are in Aranayake and Deraniyagala constituencies.

Villagers in the Aranayake area said that criminal gangs are operating timber business in the Aranayake area.

These businessmen buy trees from home gardens below the actual value and also involved in the illegal felling of valuable trees from conservations. Villagers are scared to either to talk of the movement or to pass any information to police about these marauding gangsters who are involved in the illegal felling of trees owing to fear of reprisals.

The felled trees are transported at night by lorries or tractors.

Kumbuk, Mahogany, Mee trees that adorned the jungles in and around Ahupini Ella along the banks of the Maha Oya in the Aranayake area are no more today.

Residents are baffled as to why the police or forest officers are turning a blind eye to the tree logs lying along forest tracts.

Another instance was pointed out when forest officers who nabbed these illicit timber fellers were assaulted.

Residents say the lethargic attitude of the law enforcement authorities has allowed timber racketeers to go scot free.

The print media has highlighted the destruction caused to the forest cover in the Deraniyagala area by these organised gangs.