Environmentalists flash red over project in green haven

No one travelling along the Kurunegala-Dambulla road could miss the scenic Badagamuwa forest reserve, but environmentalists warn that a project launched by the very guardians of the reserve, the Forest Department, could destroy this green haven. Clearing operations have been started with moves to put up observation platforms on trees and a visitor centre with two tents and an auditorium, residents in the area say.

While Forest Department officials say the project aims at protecting the environment, residents and environmentalists are questioning the need for such a move and the Department’s right to build within a reserve.This reserve of more than 200 hectares was started in 1925 and has unique bio diversity with about 130 identified plant species, of both medicinal and food value.

Timber that belong to both the wet and dry zone including Mara, Malaboda, Gadupol ,Milla, Pihimbiya, Halmilla, Nedun, Mahogany and Jak are abundant in this reserve. It is also a haven for birds and reptiles and its lake adds beauty to it. The area had been declared a Forest reserve by Act 13 of 1966, 1979. Act 56 of 82 and 84 0f 1995.

It has been vested with the Mahaweli Development Ministry as a Forest Reserve area. Under the relevant Act, felling of timber, allowing stray cattle, removing and harming any plant or tree, cutting of grass, polluting its water resources or poaching is banned. The Act also prohibits any structures within the reserve and clearing of land, rock and gem mining.

However, officials of the Forest Department Kurunegala regional office say they hope to attract local and foreign tourists to this reserve by putting up tents and observation towers. They also say the move would generate more income for the villagers as the project would also include setting up shops to cater to the needs of tourists.

Kurunegala District Forest controller Cyril Gamini commenting on the project said currently many travellers stop at this location, but since there is no proper visitor centre, people dump empty bottles and bags after buying things from wayside boutiques thus polluting the environment.

“What is required is to improve the facilities within the reserve so that moré schoolchildren and tourists both local and foreign would visit the place. We also plan to introduce a proper garbage disposal system,” he said. He also said small chalets will be built to accommodate tourists, while pathways are being cleared to give easier access to the lake within the reserve. He said observation points, especially to study birds would also come up. Other additions in the pipeline include building rest rooms and an information centre with a 18’ x 28’ screen using natural raw material.

A children’s park, with merry go rounds and other forms of entertainment for children is also part of the project while a long term plan hopes to include boating as an added tourist attraction. However environmentalists question the validity of the project which they say is an infringement of the Forest Reserve Act and is being perpetrated by the very protectors of the reserve.