A rapid project, part of the environmental conservation process carried out by the Ministry of Environment, commenced on  (the 10th) centered around the Tabbowa Tank in Karuwalagaswewa, Puttalam District.

This initiative involved the removal of invasive aquatic plants such as Water Hyacinth (Japana Jabara) and Prosopis (Kalapu Andara) from the Tabbowa Tank premises. The program was held under the patronage of   Dr. Dammika Patabendhi, Minister of Environment, and   Dr. Chandana Abeyrathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, with the participation of  Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Environment, and Members of Parliament from the Puttalam District. This operation was conducted jointly by the Ministry of Environment and the Clean Sri Lanka Program.

The cleaning of the Tabbowa Tank bank was carried out by  nearly a thousand people, including officers from the Tri-Forces, the Police, Civil Security Officers, youth, Environmental Pioneers (Paralel Soldiers), and school students.

The main  areas of focus for this operation include enriching the habitats of wild elephants among other wildlife through the removal of invasive plants, rehabilitating degraded tank ecosystems within wildlife sanctuaries, and particularly, working through a mechanism involving regional committees and the Divisional Secretary to enrich ecosystems favorable to elephants.

Concurrent with this program, the Department of Irrigation spearheaded the marking of the Tabbowa Tank boundaries, and the removal of invasive plants in the Galwila Environmental Park belonging to the Forest Conservation Department, where a Community-Based Development Program was also conducted.

Additionally, in the coming days, work will be carried out on renovating the Elaris Tank and Anathawewa in Wanathavilluwa, clearing the jungle on both sides of the electric fence in Karuwalagaswewa, and improving the road alongside the electric fence in Wanathavilluwa.