French tourists' conservation efforts appreciated

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa awarded certificates to 107 tourists from France, appreciating the contribution they had made to conserve Sri Lankan rainforests during their tour in Sri Lanka. The event was held recently at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.

This new project, initiated by a travel agency and environment organisation, promotes tourists to plant saplings and restore the essential buffer zones and forest patches in the area between Sinharaja and Kanneliya rainforest reserves.

The two groups, Travel Development Lanka and Rainforest Rescue International, through this action establish essential prominent tree species of the area such as Beraliya (Shorea affinis ) and Hora (Dipterocarpus zeylanicus ). Re-introducing these vulnerable species to local communities will also be an income generating program for low income families living in close proximity to the rainforests.

-DY