Tough legal action against deforestation activities; President

In keeping up with government policy of preserving the forest resource of the country, stringent legal action will be taken against racketeers who destroy forests and jungles in the country, President Maithripala Sirisena said. 

Addressing at the 27th session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) held at the BMICH in Colombo yesterday, Prsident said that government is committed to follow the international declarations, including the Paris Convention to protect the environment and many programmes have been implemented at national level in this regard.

The 27th session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission was commenced yesterday under the theme ‘Forestry in a New Landscape’ and the Session will continue until October 27.Representative of 34 member countries of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission and around 300 representatives of the various observer organizations participate at this Session.

In this Session, it is scheduled to discuss many topics including preparation of guidelines for forest management, approval of regional forests and landscape mapping strategies, the existence of plants in urban landscapes, the contribution of forests for food and nutrition security, new approach for community forest management and resource assessment in 2020.

President proposed to the APFC to implement a program to provide more assistance to the countries committed to increase forest density and to protect the environment when giving financial donations through international monetary institutes. He pointed out it will help to encourage those countries.

He said that every country in the world is now facing critical weather and climate changes. He said it has become a challenge to the existence of the human being and the animals.

President Sirisena pointed out that the guidance of the intellectuals and the researchers is important for the programs carried out to environmental conservation and the safety of the forests. He said the government will provide special facilities to the state institutions which are working for the environmental conservation.