Knuckles Reserve:

Call to control illegal activities

Disna MUDALIGE

The need for a proper program to control illegal activities in the Knuckles Forest Reserve was stressed by Sri Lanka Nature Forum Program Manager Sajeewa Chamikara at a media conference held yesterday.

He pointed out that the Knuckles is threatened due to the illegal clearance of the forest, the absence of accurate boundaries, Nutmeg cultivation, gem mining, setting fire to the forest, illegal possession of forest lands by individuals and promotion of tourist hotels in the area.

"We have identified many illegal constructions in the forest reserve. Some have already been completed, where as some are still under construction. Most of them are private constructions.

There are problems regarding the ownership of these forest lands. Most of the constructions have taken place in forest lands that belong to the Land Reform Commission" he said. The Knuckles forest expands over 21,000 hectares, and this is 0.32 percent of the whole island. About 30 percent of the water in the Mahaveli river nourishes from Knuckles mountain range. There is a proposal to make it a World Heritage as well. These forest lands contain high rate of biodiversity and endemic species.

"About 27.4 percent of the total plant species, and about 17.3 percent of the endemic plant varieties that are identified in Sri Lanka are found in the Knuckles. Similarly, it is also a rich spot of many animal varieties," Chamikara explained.

"We request the relevant authorities to look into this matter and come forward to give legal protection to the forest. The conservation of this forest reserve must be paid urgent attention," he noted.