Govt announces 10 projects to increase forest cover

 

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to implement appropriate programmes to enhance the forest area/coverage of Sri Lanka up to 30% by 2025. 

The Government said Rs. 2000 million has been allocated under the budget proposals of 2022 for this initiative.

 Under the National programme on Green Sri Lanka – “Sema Ayek – Ek Pelayak” (Each One – One Plant), steps are to be taken to enhance the forest area/coverage with better vegetation eradicating invasive plant species. 

The programme will also secure the hydro-catchment areas, while securing the existing forest cover in Sri Lanka. 

Accordingly, the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation expects to implement the following projects. 

* Establishment of 200 forest villages 

* Implementation of planting programmes within schools and national institutions of education. 

* Establishment of herbal gardens island-wide 

* Implementation of planting programmes within religious venues. 

* Implementation of planting programmes within the banks of reservoirs, irrigation reserves as well as hydro catchment areas. 

* Implementation of planting programmes within the lands areas of government institution premises, semi-government institution premises, corporation, board and statutory institution premises. 

* Implementation of planting programmes within lands managed by estate companies as well as private-owned lands. 

* Establishment of islandwide plant nurseries. 

* Implementation of a series of public programmes for making aware school students and community in regard to wildlife and forest conservation. 

* Identification of appropriate plant species for forest cultivation and implement research programmes joined with Universities for development. It is expected to implement under the patronage of the district and divisional secretaries.

Thereby, the proposal submitted by the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation to implement the said programme was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.