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Subtle destruction of Puttalam mangroves: Alleged involvement of salt industry and officials
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Shalaka Madhushanka
Text and pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Environmental groups claim that a cluster of mangroves in the Puttalam Lagoon’s Palaviya area close to the Old Hamilton Canal has been subtly destroyed.
Authorities are to blame for not doing more to stop the destruction of the Puttalam lagoon’s mangroves over the past 20 years, despite their responsibility to conserve the remaining lands, the groups charged.
The Puttalam Lagoon stretches from Mundalam to Kudiramalai Point.
Despite the harm caused by this destruction, Puttalam Lagoon remains one of the most distinctive lagoon systems in Sri Lanka, boasting a distinct fishery and supporting more than sixteen different species of mangroves.
Milanga Prabath Nandasena
It has been further alleged that, with the backing of the authorities, those who once cleared these mangrove grounds for shrimp farming are now systematically clearing these sites for the salt industry.
“The Puttalam lagoon system has been severely damaged by various destructive activities, prompting the authorities to make special arrangements to protect the remaining mangrove systems. But the appeals were not heeded,” said Ajith Gihan, convenor of the “Wayamba Hada” Environmental Organisation in Puttalam.
Shalaka Madhushanka, a resident of the Karamba area, said, “Those who were preparing to lease the government-held property were hampered by mangroves. These mangroves appear to have been chopped covertly by a group that has banded together.”
Concerns were raised about some officials’ involvement in this matter because the neighbouring mangroves had been repeatedly destroyed and cut down without a law being put in place to address the issue, Mr. Madhushanka added.
When questioned, Kalpitiya’s acting Divisional Secretary, Milanga Prabath Nandasena, acknowledged his unawareness of the crisis.
He pledged to notify the forest conservation officers and request the relevant Grama Niladhari to investigate.
Mr. Nandasena noted that certain people had requested that the land be given to them on a lease, but their request was later turned down.
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