Nature lovers appeal to protect forest reserve

by Manjula Fernando

A sizeable portion of Padaviya Forest reserve is being readied to be apportioned to the Mahaweli Authority for human settlements, the Environment Conservation Trust (ECT) alleged.

According to the ECT the extent of the allotted forest is about 12,900 hectares (31,875 acres) and the Forest Department has already prepared the gazette notification in this regard.

The environmentalists appeal to the Environment Minister and the Head of Forest Department to stop the forest area being released to Mahaweli Authority to be leased out to private parties to be exploited and destroyed.

Padaviya Forest Range was declared a national Forest reserve in January this year under the 1973/21 gazette notification for its rich biodiversity and environmental significance including for its role as an important catchment area.

The earmarked range belongs to Kebethigollewa PS division and is located West of Padaviya Tank. The environmentalists warn that this Dry mixed evergreen forest is linked to the Padaviya Tank sanctuary which is spreading over 6,475 hectares and is an important bio diversity hotspot. The Padaviya Tank sanctuary was declared so by the government in 1963.

"During the time of the conflict the forest was in a threatened state, but following the end of war, the Forest Department declared it a national reserve, taking into account the importance of preserving this rich biodiversity, Sajeewa Chamikara of the ECT said.

"This is an area where the elephant population is dense. Clearing the area for human settlements will result in intense human-elephant conflicts, and add to the already burning issue."