Ban on constructions above 5000 ft

17 December 2010 07:22 am

The government is to ban the construction of houses and buildings on land 5000 feet above the mean sea level in a bid to protect the sensitive environmental zones rich in water resources.

Addressing the heads of 42 local authorities in the Central Province, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa said that there is a need to pass legislation to protect the forest cover that formed the catchments areas of reservoirs.

He said that the haphazard clearing of forest cover in the upcountry hills for housing is a matter of serious concern. This has caused extensive damage to the water resources and the catchment areas of major reservoirs earth slips. Measures are being taken to pass legislation to prohibit the building of houses and other buildings in areas 5000ft above the mean sea level.” (Mohamed Asik )