Sri Lanka Parliament Approves New Laws To Protect Forests.
October 22, 2009 at 11:08 pm · Posted Public Articles
Parliament today amend the Forest Bill. Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka introduced the new amendment said at the begining of the 20th century forest cover of Sri Lanka was around 80% of the total land area.
He said however, according to the 1992 inventary, it has reduced drastically to about 24%. He further said legal as well as the illegal activities have contributed towards this. To face this problem the Minister says the Environment Ministry decides to amend the exciting ordinance.
In this new regulations steps have been taken to obtain the participation of public and also to enhance the punishments imposed on certain offences in the exiting Forest Ordinance. In this new amendment in addition to the punishment given for the illegal activities carried out within the conservation forest, the value of the damage has to be recovered in money.
This amount will be equivalent to the damage caused to the forest. In another regulation introduction of prohibited activities by this amend act for the confirmation of security of the state forests other than the conservation, reserve or village forests.