Minister orders halt to forest clearing near Wilpattu

Disna MUDALIGE

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa had instructed the relevant authorities to abandon forest clearing in Thausamadama area which comes under one mile buffer zone of the Wilpattu national park.

He had instructed the Forest Conservation Department (FCD) and the State Timber Corporation (STC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on the matter and to take legal action against the persons who involved in this illegal clearing.

This environmental destruction was brought to the attention of the minister by Sri Lanka Green Movement Project Manager Bandu Ranga Kariyawasam at a discussion held at the Ministry premises recently.

The minister also thanked the movement for the revelation of these facts and valued the organization's contribution to protect the environment in the country.

The minister also noted that reforestation should be carried out in the cleared forest land to restore the forest.

It was reported that 254 acres in Moradawilluwa and Thausamadama near Kala Oya are being cleared to be distributed among people for cultivation claiming that they have obtained FCD permission.