OVER 1000 ACRES IN FOREST RESERVE ENCROACHED

Over 1000 acres in the Karankowa forest reserve at Pansalgoda in the Lahugala division has been cleared and set on fire by groups of individuals within a short period of one week.

They had cut and removed valuable forest trees without the least concern of the forest conservation laws. Residents of the area pointed out that more than 100-year-old huge trees including Palu, Weera , Jak and Mora had been felled and the forest set on fire. Several trees had been covered with earth. Environmentalists of the area who expressed concern about the wanton destruction of forest reserves in this manner accused the forest conservation officials and the police of ignoring the matter to the utter amazement of the public. They pointed out that the forest had been cleared and tilled for paddy cultivation. They stressed the authorities should conduct formal investigation and bring the racketeers responsible for the ongoing wanton destruction of state forests. Meanwhile, Lahugala Range Forest Officer G.D.P. Namal Chandrasiri said when legal action was taken the individuals produced permits and that the department lost the case. He said the photocopies of permits produced by them had been accepted by the court.

Environmentalists of the area who expressed concern about the wanton destruction of forest reserves in this manner accused the forest conservation officials and the police of ignoring the matter to the utter amazement of the public.