Planters’ ...

Planters’ Association hails govt decision on timber harvesting

The Pl a nt e r s Associat i o n ( PA ) o f C e y l o n , s ay s t h e Gover nment’s decision last we e k t o lift the prohibition on Re gional Plantation Companies [RPCS] from harvesting timber, from forestry cultivations, will ease pressure on fuel costs and RPCS finances.

“T he gover nment has decided to lift its previo u s r e s t r i c t i o n s o n t i mber h a r ve s t i n g . R P C s c a n n ow h a r ve s t t i mbe r / f u e lwo o d f r o m t h e i r c o mmercial f o re s t r y c ul t ivat i o ns. We wish to express our appreciation o f t hi s d e c i s i o n t o t he g ov - er nment, and particularly to t h e Mini s t e r o f P l a n t a t i o n Industries, t he Mahinda S a maras i n g h e, f o r h i s p e rsonal intervention on behalf of the plantation industry. We a r e c o nf i d e nt t hi s d e c i s i o n by the gover nment will benefit not only the estate sector but the country as a whole,” said the Chair man of the PA, Lalith Obeyesekere.

The PA says the latest decis i o n t o a l l ow t i mber / f u e l wood harvesting of RPC forestry cultivations, will provide RPCS with a cost effective alter native to imported fuels. Tea factories can now use fuel wood for their driers instead of more expensive imported petroleum products.

The use of fuel wood is expected to reduce both RPC operating costs and also the country’s oil import bill, at a time when oil prices are rising. Timber harvesting will also provide RPCS with an alter nate source of income.

T h i s i s s e e n a s p a r t i c u l a rl y important as many RPCS are faci ng f i nancial di f f i c ul t i e s due t o volatile tea prices and increasing p ro d u c t i o n c o s t s. R P C s s u p p ly of timber to the market, says the PA also may contribute towards re duci ng i l l e g a l l o g g i ng i n t he country.

T h e PA s ay s R P C Fo r e s t r y programmes are e nv i ro n - mentally-friendly and are in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e Fo r e s t r y Management Plans approved by the Conservator of Forests and the Ministry of Plantation Industries. Prior to harvesting of fuelwood and timber, the areas are inspected and approved by a team of offic i al s of t he Forest De par t ment, Central Environmental Authority, Ministry of Plantation Industries a n d t h e Div i s i o n a l S e c r e t a r i at , thus ensuring the necessary checks and balances are adhered to, and is in no way a threat to the environment.

The RPCS have been commerc i a l l y c ul t iv at i ng t r e e s s uch a s eucalyptus (gum), in the up country and other varieties of timber, in the low country.

The RPCS say the estate sector has been involved in forestry management for fuel wood and timber, since the 1970s and have, in the p a s t , b e e n s u p p l y i n g t i mber t o national agencies like the Ceylon Electri c i t y Board for el ect r i c i t y posts and the Railway Department for sleepers.

T i mbe r f r o m R P C l a n d s wa s also marketed to the State Timber Corporation for purposes such as building construction and fur niture manufacture.