Daily Mirror - Print Edition

Impugned deforestation, illegal constructions in Wilpattu CA fixes argument for Feb. 12

28 Jan 2020 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

 

  • The petitioner states that some 1,500 families have illegally settled in the cleared area

By S.S. Selvanayagam 

The Court of Appeal (CA) yesterday fixed the argument for February 12 in respect of the writ petition challenging impugned deforestation and illegal construction of a housing project in the northern sanctuary of Wilpattu  National Park. 

The bench comprised Justices Janak de Silva and N. Bandula Karunarathna. 


The writ petition was filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice (Guarantee) Ltd. citing the Conservator-General, Central Environmental Authority, Director-General of Wildlife Department, Commissioner-General of Lands, Commissioner-General of Archeology Department, Mannar District Secretary, former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and others as respondents. 


Ravindranath Dabare with Nimal Wickramasinghe appeared for the petitioner. Faisz Musthapha PC with Basheer Ahmed and N.M. Riyaz appeared for the minister. State Counsel Manohara Jayasinghe appeared for the Attorney General. 


The petition was filed as a public interest litigation on alleged deforestation and illegal construction of a housing project in the northern sanctuary of Wilpattu National  Park as well as the forest complex of Madu, Periyamadu and Sannara. The petitioner is seeking the court to take action against the removal of forest cover and reinstate land to the forest reserve and organise a forest replanting programme. 


The petitioner states that a vast area of 2,000 hectares in the forest complex adjoining Wilpattu  National Park and 1,000 hectares in Madu, Periyamadu and Sannara have been cleared, divided into plots, paved roads and unauthorised settlements established making irreparable damage to the environment, eco-system and wildlife habitats. 


The petitioner states that some 1,500 families have illegally settled in the cleared area and that former Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen had been involved in mobilising deforestation and establishing settlements under the pretext of resettlement of internally-displaced persons. 


The petitioner laments that the clearance of reserves and sanctuaries and the construction of a housing project in contravention of the act and regulations are unauthorised, unlawful, illegal and punishable offences.   

 

 

  • The petitioner is seeking court to reinstate land to forest reserve and organise a forest replanting programme