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| Wednesday, 20 October 2004 |
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| Government committed to increase forest cover - Minister by Florence Wickramage The Government is committed to address the issues of sharp decrease of forest cover, land degradation and decreasing land productivity and the rapidly growing demands on forest cover, Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in Colombo recently. Minister Gunawardena in his keynote address at a seminar on "Tree Planting for Prosperity" said that one of the most significant attempts made by the government towards this end was the formulation of a new National Forest Policy and Forestry Master plan in 1995. These emphasized the needs for community participation and tree planting in non-forest areas. Since the land availability for expansion of forestry is limited, the need of the day is the expansion of tree cover through agro-forestry, home garden development, urban forestry, avenue planting and community woodlots etc. The main objective of naming a full month for the purpose of planting trees is to encourage people in the planting of trees as well as to ensure their maintenance. The Minister said that having identified the problems, issues and national priorities, the Urban Development and Water Supply Ministry has embarked on a catchment protection, conservation and development program as one its urgent activities. The country has lost nearly 360,000 hectares of forest cover during last 12 years at a rate of 30,000 hectares per year. Minister Gunawardena while emphasising that "Rain makes forests and Forests bring rain" said that planning Urban Tree planting, should take into account environmental pollution caused by vehicles and factories. Stating that the cooling effect of a mature tree is equivalent to 15 air-conditioners. Indigenous species of trees should be grown in urban areas too which among other favourable factors would portray the nation's individuality, he said. The Seminar organised by the Society for International Development (SID) was sponsored by the People's Bank. Ministry Secretary Thosapala Hewage, Chancellor of the Moratuwa University Viodyajothi Ray Wijewardene, Deputy Conservator of Forests J.E. Munasinghe, President Society for International Development, President SID Dr. U. Vidanapathirana and Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation of Sri Lanka Sumith Abeywickrema also addressed the seminar. |
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