Wilt disease can be prevented

Shirley Wijesinghe

The Weligama leaf wilt disease affecting coconut plantations in the South cannot be cured but is preventable like AIDS, Coconut Research Institute (CRI) Director Dr Chithranganie Jayasekera told a media briefing recently.

Dr Jayasekera said it has been observed that there is a possibility of it spreading to coconut plantations in other districts. An action plan will be in place to control the disease after a study conducted by the CRI on a directive by Indian scientists who have had similar experiences in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, she added.

According to the proposed action plan for 2010, the CRI will remove all coconut trees affected by the disease immediately. Around 20,000 coconut trees will be cut down this year based on the availability of funds.

Explaining the uprooting of the trees, Dr Jayasekera said under the action plan the public will be made aware about the threat, affected trees will be marked and permits issued, trees will be uprooted and a crop diversification program introduced. The awareness program is formulated to convince cultivators the need to uproot affected trees, provide assistance to compensate their economic loss by introducing new crops under a crop diversification program.

Each land will be visited and inspected to mark affected trees to issue permits. The issue of permits will be carried out by two Coconut Cultivation Board authorized officers. Dr Jayasekera said it is the duty of land owners to uproot the marked trees after permits are issued.

Under the crop diversification program, traditional coconut cultivators will be allowed to adopt suitable crops as an option.

According to Gazette Notification of No 1542/7 of March 24, 2008, a 87 kilometre and two metre wide buffer zone has been declared around possible areas affected by the disease from Galle to Hambantota, she said.

The Government will pay Rs 2,000 compensation for a tree aged between five to 45, Rs 1,000 for a palm over 45 years and Rs 500 for a palm below five years, the CRI Director said. The transportation of infected plant parts will be banned under the regulations declared by the Gazette.