Environmentalist felicitated for 'trees for shade' campaign

BY A.W. GUNAWARDHENA - Matara Central Correspondent

BANDULA Hewage of Hittatiya, Matara, a make-up artist by profession is a nature lover. All trees around the Nupe-Ela were removed for the improvement of the Ela; resulting in the whole area around getting dried up.

Bandula Hewage started a campaign on his own to plant over 300 trees along the banks of the Ela which is more than half a mile in length after getting the permission of the Mayor of Matara to go ahead with his project.

He faced the problem of collecting the necessary plants. At the initial stage he collected 25 plants. A passer by in a vehicle seeing the job being done in a splendid manner decided to lend a helping hand to Bandula by offering a financial contribution.

Bandula purchased another 100 plants of different verities. His daily routine was to water the plants and look after the vegetation with dedication.

Thousands of passers by appreciated the good job done by Bandula. The Chief - Incumbent of the "Pushpa Rama" temple too donated a sum of Rs. 500 towards Bandula's cause.

Bandula made a request to the Re-forestation section of the Forest Department to provide him with another 100 plants.

That request was complied with by the department. By this time varieties like Mahogany, Teak, Mango-akasia and kohomba trees have started to grow on the banks of this Old Dutch canal- Now called the Nupe Ela, providing shade to the wide stretch of land.

Bandula is now aiming to plant 2,500 more plants at suitable locations and to watch them grow into large trees, protecting the environment while providing shade.