Tree planting on hill tops

Special allocation from Treasury:

Disna MUDALIGE

The Treasury has agreed to make a special allocation from the 2012 budget for the tree plantation programme on hill tops initiated by the Environment Ministry, said Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given top priority to this programme, understanding the importance of environmental conservation. The minister said that 343 hectares of forest cover is to be cultivated under this initiative this year while plans are afoot to plant another 425 hectares next year. Hillside lands above 1,200 metres will be selected for this programme. Special attention is given for reforestation in hill tops where forest cover had been destroyed.

Minister Yapa said that this venture will help save water springs and water retention areas in the hill country. It will also contribute to control landslides in hill slopes.