Selling of land around Hanthana Mountain Range:
Conservationists appeal to President
Jayasiri Munasinghe
The Hanthana Conservation Organization requested President Mahinda
Rajapaksa to immediately intervene to halt the illegal business of
selling blocks of land surrounding the Hanthana Mountain Range in Kandy.
Hanthana Mountain Range was declared as an environmental protection
area in February 2010 due to its rich natural beauty and ecosystem
value.
Hanthana Protection Organization Chief Consultant Keshala Jayawardena
said an illegal business of selling blocks of land could be seen in this
area.
She observed her organization with the support of people in Kandy is
involved in a continuous struggle to protect the Hanthana Mountain
Range.
She observed constructions and development activities are not
permitted inside this protection area. However, some people have
illegally encroached in to these lands due to the loopholes in the
gazette notification. She requested the President to rectify the
loopholes in the gazette notification and take measures to protect
Hanthana. She observed it would be a great service for the future
generations of the country. |