Coconut Board suspends 20 projects involving tree cutting, land use

7 February 2025 09:08 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

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By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, February 7 (Daily Mirror) - The Coconut Cultivation Board has suspended 20 projects that planned to cut down coconut trees and develop approximately 400 acres of land.

The board's Chairman, Dr. Sunimal Jayakody said these lands fall within the coconut triangle.

Requests for projects ranging from 20 to 90 acres, including garment factories, animal farms and solar power plants have been halted, he added.

Currently, Divisional Secretaries can approve requests to use coconut lands under 10 acres of extent for other purposes, while the Board's approval is required for larger extents larger than 10 acres.

Dr. Jayakody emphasised that due to the ongoing coconut production crisis, he does not support allocating these lands for other projects. Though these industries contribute to the economy, the government has prioritised coconut cultivation at this time, he added.

Comments - 10

sarath gooneratne Friday, 07 February 2025 09:36 AM

Well done. This is the way to go !! Let us first plant a100,000 acres of coconut trees.

2 4

D P P Prasad Friday, 07 February 2025 10:32 AM

Sri Lanka has enough garment factories piggeries and poultry farms. But due to the poor production mechanism. These enterprises are running loss. On the other hand sustainable coconut production mechanism is much more needed to achieve the present coconut demand. In order to mitigate this rising issue the present government is planning to import the coconut kernel from overseas. Therefore the decision being taken to prevent the coconut lands from clearing is very commendable

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Gabriella Friday, 07 February 2025 10:35 AM

It is not an insurmountable problem for developers to overcome. All it requires, is greasing some Divisional Secretaries palms, and getting approval to clear 10 acres at a time.

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Jude Friday, 07 February 2025 10:43 AM

Dumbass start re-planting, yeah.

2 2

LP Friday, 07 February 2025 11:49 AM

Dear Coconut Development Board, Acquire government lands elsewhere and grow more trees instead of halting those development projects.

4 4

Stupid comment Friday, 07 February 2025 01:28 PM

So you want government to approve to cut coconut trees on one side and grow on another ? What a stupid idea is that ?? Do you know how long it takes for a coconut tree to grow ?

6 0

Weary Friday, 07 February 2025 05:39 PM

On the other hand, due to cost, many do not plant new to replace the old that are way past their best. Many small plantations are not viable due to age related poor yield, lack of water and proper maintenance. Investment and large scale coconut farms are needed. Having said that, can SL compete with the producers in Indonesia, Philippines and India? Similar situation with tea produced by Kenya. Applying fertiliser is not the be all and end all of solutions.

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Siva Friday, 07 February 2025 12:16 PM

Sir where is the Russian fertilizer promised by the minister? APM is still selling at Rs.9000 a bag, just Rs 500 drop from last year. We can't apply fertilizer during dry months. Cut the talk and deliver what was promised.

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wickrama Wijayasiri Friday, 07 February 2025 12:41 PM

this is like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Then again it is later than never, We need a comprehensive land use plan and zoning for the entire island.

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lion Friday, 07 February 2025 03:47 PM

Please fallow this very strictly even under previous governments their were laws and proposals to prevent coconut tree cutting by real estate business men to sell lands in the area. But all these laws swept under carpet once the real estate company oil the palm of the local politician of the area

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