Forest and Wildlife Depts oppose Sengakkulam forestland clearance
A move to release 15 acres of land from the Sengakkulam forest in Puttalam has drawn strong protests from the Department of Forest Conservation and Wildlife Conservation.
Former Chairman of the Nawagattegama Provincial Council, S M Indika Sanjeewa, claims he obtained the forest land for an agriculture project through a proposal made to the North Western Provincial Council.
The Nawagattegama Divisional Secretary had reportedly issued a letter to the Department of Forest Conservation on October 27 last year requesting to release nearly 15 acres from this state-owned forest.
A letter had also been sent to the Puttalam District forest officer to release the land.
However, the officer had called for a joint field visit by the Forest
Department and Wildlife Department before the land was released.
On February 27, officials from both the departments, the Nawagattegama Divisional Secretary Office, provincial environmental authority officials, Archaeology Department officials, and the chief secretary of the
North Western Province participated in the field visit.
Following the visit, both forest and wildlife officials pointed out that if any land is given for a project in the Sengakkulam forest, it would be detrimental to the environment as well as worsen the human elephant conflict.
The Forest Department pointed out that it opposed any move to clear some land as it was a secondary forest and it would impact the ecosystem, while also pointing out that the forest is home to many animals, including elephants.
Officials also pointed out that if a portion of the forest land is given to the former chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha for a project, it would create a precedent where the rest of the land would also be cleared to make way for other projects.
Meanwhile, Mr Sanjeewa said he had made a similar request several years ago, but the department had opposed the move.
He said he plans to obtain the land on a lease basis. He said the forest lands were given to people during the time of British colonial rule, and the Forest Department had no authority over it.
However, Assistant District Forest officer D K B Wattegama said they will not release any forestland owned by the State.
Mr Wattegama pointed out that they are well aware of the repercussions of releasing land for projects and assured that they would not release any land for any projects.