Online edition of Sunday Observer

Grow more Jak to free the starving

As the planting continues, the National Jak Development Project seeks jak-fruit saplings in good condition, about 2 1/2 - 4 months old from the public. Individuals and organisations interested in granting jak-fruit saplings and those who wish to obtain more information on the project are requested to contact the Secretary NJDP, Sarath Amarakoon, Chief Administrative Officer ANCL - 429201 or Co-ordinating Secretary NJDP, Nihal Abeysinghe - 429268 or write to National Jak Development Project, C/o Silumina, Lake House, Colombo 10 for more details.

The NJDP, Jak Planting Project is sponsored by Sevana Lotteries division of Sri Lanka Lotteries Board.

More information on NJDP could be obtained from the Website

http://www.geocites.com/heraliyainasia/index.html

Jak, the wonder fruit of Sri Lanka, is showing its potential in environment protection at different areas of the island. While one thousand jak saplings will be distributed amongst the villagers of Beruwala today (15), in order to enhance their environment, 2000 saplings will be planted on Sunday, December 22, at Moneragala in the Wellawaya, Malewanayaya tank catchment area. And enhancing the environment is not limited to the far off villages, last week the city dwellers of Wanatamulla, Colombo 9 planted jak saplings to enhance the environs of the Serpentine Canal as well.

The sapling distribution ceremony at Beruwala is the National Jak Development Project's (NJDP) 16th planting ceremony, under its scheme of planting 100,000 jak saplings throughout the island and organised jointly by the Yovun Samaja Pradeshiya Balamandalaya (YSPB) of Beruwala.

The saplings will be planted in home gardens and the Divisional Secretariat has already entered into an agreement with the householders in aftercare of the saplings planted. The householders will take care of the plants for a period of five years according to this agreement.

The YSPB has organised to plant a minimum of 10 saplings at each Gramaseva Division, in the area. Further, a similar number of saplings will be planted in schools, religious institutions, community centres and other public areas. Progress of these jak saplings will be monitored by Agriculture Officers and Youth-service Officers.

The ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Post Office premises of Beruwala, today, at 9.00 a.m. with the Media Minister, Imitiaz Bakeer Marker as the chief guest and Member of Parliament Rohitha Abeygunawardene as the guest of honour. Officials of the NJDP, Lake House and Sevana Lotteries are also scheduled to be present.