Forests under imminent threat of deforestation
Due to major development projects, resettlement and plantation expansion
Sri Lankan natural forests are in severe danger as the deforestation over reasons like massive development projects, large scales plantations and resettling programmes, an environmental organization called the Centre for Environment Justice told the Daily Mirror.
“The estimated natural forests in Sri Lanka are nearly 18% of the land area. They are mainly situated in the dry zone of the island. Now, the natural forests are being gradually cleared over the particular reasons with the utmost acknowledgement of the government”, the Legal Officer of Centre for Environment Justice Sugath Atapattu said.
He categorically mentioned the consequences that we have to undergo, if this act would be carried out continually. He said that however the repercussions seemed to be inevitable as deforestation is obviously visible in this context. “Loss of forests has a major impact on global warming and biodiversity; consequently increasing the Carbon dioxide, soil erosion, risk of earth slips, spring water drying and influence towards ground water are the negative effects of deforestation, the legal officer added.
The Centre for Environment Justice has been very vocal on this issue and it has taken legal actions against the ongoing projects like port city, Uma oya project, the project of construction in Wilpattu of resettling sites for the displaced during the civil war, and Rideemaliyadda sugar factory.
The legal officer stressed in a special manner the disadvantage of the Rideemaliyadda sugar factory through which 85% is gained by a foreign company and the trifle is gained by SL. He further stated that it has been internationally identified that the single plantation like sugar-cane has a huge impact on the earth owing to its absorptive nature.
“Approximately 65,000 acres have been already allocated for this gigantic project and no government official has been concerned about the disaster that would cause in terms of this project.” He emphasized.
Executive Director of Centre for Environment Justice Hemantha Withanage also commented on this issue and he said that they have taken steps to put an end to this deforestation which has caused a large destruction to the forests. He stated that the latest report of the UN-REDD depicted the whole scenario of this topic and how important it is to protect the remaining forest for future.