100,000 saplings to be planted in three months

By Ifham Nizam

Plans were afoot to plant nearly 100,000 saplings countrywide within the next three months, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Amaraweera said his Ministry planted some 5,000 different plants every weekend, and the government had already started a number of major development programmes, including the rehabilitation of 100,000 km of rural roads, expressway projects and urban housing schemes.

“At times, even the trees along the roads have to be removed. We have ordered that the felling of trees for development purposes be reduced to a bare minimum. We cannot import sand, gravel and soil for our development projects. We have to obtain them here.

“But today some people are accusing us of causing great environmental damage but it is not true. We take legal action against anyone who harms the environment.

At a seed planting programme held in Rumassala on Monday, the Minister said: “Our environmental officers are doing their best to protect the environment. Some officials have even been attacked by racketeers.

He said his Ministy had its share of venal elements who were in the pay of racketeers, and they would be severly dealt with.