GANG DESTROYS MANGROVE IN SHOTTUWADIYA: POLICE

An organised group was going about destroying the mangroves in the Shottuwadiya Lagoon in Kalpitiya wantonly, the residents said.

They said that the racketeers were clearing the mangroves with back-hoes and other heavy-duty machinery.

They said that they made continual representations to the Kalpitiya Divisional Secretary in this regard but to no avail.

Environmentalists said that several species of mangroves were endemic to the area and other plants including cane, had been destroyedbytheracketeers.

Environmentalist of the National Water Resources Research and Development Institute Sarath Jayanath pointed out the boundary stones of the Forest Conservation Department in the area had been cleared.

However, Divisional Secretary Nandana Somaratne said that he received information on the ongoing clearing of the mangroves and that he instructed the Grama Niladharies to prevent it immediately.

He said when the individuals concerned had ignored his order he personally met the Forest Conservation Officials and requested them to take action in this regard. Meanwhile, OIC Kalpitiya Police Laxman Ranwala Arachchi said three individuals had been arrested and the backhoe had been seized during an investigation on public complaints regarding the racket.

He said the suspects had produced a document claiming possession of the land and that he would refer it to relevant authorities for examination.

The OIC pointed out it was illegal to clear even a private land causing damage to fauna and flora. He said the suspects would be produced before the Puttalam Magistrate.