The government is looking at allocating lands that were previously reserved for reforestation in Monaragala, Kotiyagala and Kebaliththa areas for farming activities in a bid to face the food crisis in the future.
Currently, around 8000 hectares of land in the aforementioned areas owned by the Forest Department has been reserved for reforestation.
Accordingly, it was decided to commence afforestation activities immediately in the 3000 hectares where saplings have been prepared for afforestation.
The issue of the remaining 5000 hectares of land to be distributed among farmers temporarily for cultivation until the necessary facilities for reforestation were prepared was also discussed at length during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (01) under the patronage of President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka.
The discussions also focused on the possibilities of releasing a certain extent of land for cattle rearing on a temporary basis.
Ratnayaka advised the Forest Conservation Department to seek the advice of the Attorney General to resolve any legal issues that may arise in carrying out these activities and instructed heads of all related line institutions accordingly.
