Bogawantalawa Plantation undertakes reforestation programme in upper catchment area of Castlereigh

Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment and Dinesh Ambani, Chairman of Bogawantalawa Plantation Company, exchanging agreements

By Ifham Nizam

The government would join hands with the private sector to launch a reforestation programme tomorrow covering about 250 acres in the upper catchment area of the Castlereigh Reservoir, a senior Environment Ministry official said.

Bogawantalawa Plantations yesterday joined the Ministry of Environment in conserving the 250 acres of watershed areas feeding five waterfalls in the central hills by signing an agreement for the purpose.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday told the media that Bogawantalawa Plantation Company, one of the leading plantation companies, was making a significant contribution to the Ministry’s efforts to involve in environmental conservation programmes without having to spend public money.

The main objective of this agreement is to prevent soil erosion through reforestation in the upper catchment areas of five waterfalls and to increase the forest cover, said Dinesh Ambani, Chairman, Bogawantalawa Plantations.

Amaraweera said the programme would be launched under the ‘Husma Dena Thuru’ project carried out by the Ministry of Environment.

Several senior officials of the Bogawantalawa Plantation Company were also present on the occasion.