NYSCO helps CEA to protect flora and fauna

S.M. Wijayaratne - Kurunegala Corr

The Central Environmental Authority has made arrangements to obtain the assistance of 100 youth, to protect the flora and fauna of the country. The National Youth Services Council (NYSCO) has come forward to assist the CEA in this worthy cause by providing members of their youth clubs which now exist islandwide. Charitha Herath, Central Environmental Authority Chairman and the Mass Media Ministry Secretary has pioneered this programme which is titled 'A green world through the might of the youth'.

"This programme is to be carried out covering all administrative districts of the country. "Those who have leadership qualities and announcing skills and with a true love for our environment and natural resources, would be selected for this programme to serve on a permanent basis," said Charitha Herath at a media briefing held recently in Kurunegala.

"Due to lack of understanding the importance of protecting our valuable forests, some ignorant and unpatriotic persons are now frequently setting fire to forests.

This is a wanton destruction. Such indiscriminate acts will ultimately pave the way for national disasters. The Environment Minister has decided to intensify the existing punishment laws against burning forests and to educate the general public and school community on the vital need of protecting forests on a large scale," he further said.