Facelift for national parks

by Mohammed NAALIR

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S. M. Chandrasena said that the moves are underway to promote the Wilpattu Udawalawa, Wasgamuwa, Kumana and Horton national parks to the international standards.

If the Poaching continues, the rare wild animals in this country would extinct very soon. The illicit timber felling has also caused adverse affects environmentally. Stringent action will be taken to stop such illegal activities, according to the Minister.

He said the regulations on poaching and timber felling would be amended and intensified with the view of protecting the national resources.

He said that with the move to upgrade the national sanctuaries to the standards of international sanctuaries, it is also intended to promote the tourism sector.

Minister expressed confidence that a large number of employment opportunities can be generated to the unemployed youth.

Chandrasena further said that 40 per cent of the country's forest resources is managed by the Wild Life Department. No room will be left to sell them to private institutions or individuals at any time.

Considerable attention will be paid towards the farmers who undergo huge inconveniences owing to the trespass of wild elephants in the villages and their cultivated lands, Minister Chandrasena added.