Seven year prison term for damage to forest reserves

Uditha KUMARASINGHE, Irangika RANGA and Sandasen MARASINGHE

Those who damage the country's forest reserves will face imprisonment for seven years or a fine not exceeding Rs. 200,000 or both, according to provisions of new legislation passed in Parliament yesterday.

Tabelling Forest (Amendment) Bill and the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said in addition to these provisions, the Court may also award compensation in respect of damage caused to Forest Resources. Such compensation shall be charged and recovered as a fine levied by Court.

The Minister said anyone guilty of an offence of damaging the forest reserves will be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of five years or a fine not exceeding Rs. 100,000 or both.

In addition to these provision, Court will award compensation for any damage caused to Forest Reserves. He said no person can carry on the business of a timber depot otherwise than under the authority of a Certificate of Registration and a permit issued by the Conservator General of Forests or any officer authorised by the Conservator-General of Forests.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot to prepare a Management Plan to conserve bio-diversity, soil and water in forest reserves. It will also facilitate the preservation of unique eco-system, genetic resources and the habitat of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna in Forest Reserves.

It shall also be lawful for an officer of the Department of Customs to levy in respect of all timber of forest produce exported from Sri Lanka. A fee, at the port of shipment will be prescribed from time to time.

Any obstructing or interfering unnecessarily with the duty of Forest Officer or Police officer, shall be guilty of an offence and both liable for imprisonment of five years or a fine of Rs. 200,000 or both.

The Minister said the integrated commercial plan has been formulated to develop and upgrade the activities of the Forest Conservation Department and the State Timber Corporation.

He said the Forest Conservation Department has earned considerable income for the past few years.

Our forest cover has reduced to 25 percent. A number of steps have been taken to improve the forest cover. He said the Mines and Mining Bureau is now earning a profit.