IS GOVT. COURTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER?

Mankulam town to be capital of Northern Province Sri Lanka Environmental Conservation Trust warns of damage

The Sri Lanka Environmental Conservation Trust warned about the consequences of the proposed acquisition of 7200 acres of forest land from the Forest Conservation Department to develop Mankulam town as the capital of the Northern Province.

Director of the Sri Lanka Environmental Conservation Trust, Sajeewa Chamikara told the media that the government had planned to develop Mankulam town as the capital covering 41 sq.kilometres or 10,000 acres in four stages from 2015 to 2060. The forests that would be cleared under the project would include 2320 hectares to resettle the people who would be displaced under the project, 400 hectares for commercial purposes 160 hectares for industrial purposes and 240 hectares for agriculture.

The Environmental Conservation Trust pointed out that the Cabinet paper submitted by Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils in the previous government on August 29, 2008 had been approved by the Cabinet and then Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development had declared the Mankulam development project.

Director of the Enviroment Conservation Trust Sajeewa Chamikara pointed out that the present government was taking step to acquire 7200 acres of forests for the proposed project. He said the area earmarked to be cleared included catchments of the Kanakarayanaaru River and several other water resources and habitats and breeding grounds of wild elephants. Chamikara warned that the proposed clearing of 7200 acres of forests in this manner would result in a severe shortage of water and worsen the human elephant conflict. He said it was a question why the government wanted to shift the capital of the Northern Province to Mankulam, destroying a large area of virgin forests regardless of its extensive environmental damage.

Meanwhile Conservator General of Forests Anura Haturusinghe said Mullaithivu Government Agent had informed him about the proposed project but he had not mentioned about the extent of land required. He said the Forest Department had not yet received the plan of the project or any details of it. Conservator General of Forests said the department would take a decision after a thorough study of the project and on the report of the Enviromental Authority.