Japanese help for forest cultivation project

Disna MUDALIGE

The Environment Ministry is to carry out a forest cultivation project in selected areas with the coordination of Japanese representatives of Green Cross International, a ministry spokesperson told the Daily News yesterday.

The spokesperson said that about 16 acres in the Hambantota district have been selected as the initial step to carry out forest cultivation.

A Japanese delegation of Green Cross International had expressed their support to initiate this project in Sri Lanka when they called on Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa at the ministry recently. The six-member delegation was led by Japanese environmentalist Itho Kio.

Their intention in supporting this project is to contribute to the world endeavour to combat global warming. They have carried out a similar project in Brazil with good results.

The minister had also proposed to establish a green belt in a selected coastal area in Sri Lanka with their support. Further discussions are on towards this move.