Permits required to cut coconut trees

24 January 2025 08:11 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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By Indika Sri Aravinda

In order to address the acute shortage of coconuts in the country, the Coconut Development Board has announced a new policy requiring individuals to obtain permission from both the Divisional Secretary and the Board itself before cutting down coconut trees.

This decision comes on the directive of the President, according to Saman Hewage, Advisor to the Board of Directors.

The government has also introduced restrictions on agricultural land use, specifying that any auction or subdivision of agricultural land exceeding one acre is prohibited. Furthermore, if land over one acre is to be repurposed for other projects, it will require approval after a thorough study conducted by the Coconut Development Board, the Divisional Secretariat, or another relevant government body.

Previously, landowners were permitted to auction lands less than 10 acres, but this permission has now been revoked by the Coconut Development Board. The new regulations are already in effect, and the Board is preparing to present these changes as amendments to Parliament in the near future.

Comments - 8

From London Friday, 24 January 2025 08:37 AM

When I was growing up in Jaffna , we had coconut trees growing up wild in all costal areas. We have had free coconut drinks if someone was able to climb the tree and pluck some young coconuts .I can assume the same situation in the South . That is why it is preplexing why there is a shortage of coconuts in Sri Lanka.

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Aela Friday, 24 January 2025 08:40 AM

A good move. This should have been done many years ago which could have prevented the coconut crisis but past regimes were only interested in filling their pockets. The new govt seems seriously interested in solving these issues.

2 13

Siva Jaffna Friday, 24 January 2025 08:45 AM

Please provide solutions available for us instead of enacting laws. Create coconut cooperatives and share machinery among farmers e.g to mulch coconut leaves as organic waste, coconut huskers, access platforms with booms to spray pesticide at tree tops, place coconut mite bags etc. The coconut fertilizer is still sold at Rs. 9500 for 50Kg bags. CRI is unable to provide us seedlings of hybrid varieties. The list is endless but we need to start somewhere

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Australia Friday, 24 January 2025 08:55 AM

Please take a leaf out of Australia. There you cannot cut ANY TREE of significant growth without the permission of the government. Why NOT implement that rule across the board?

2 7

Yohan Friday, 24 January 2025 09:05 AM

Instead of looking into major issues, these jokers are going behind minor matters. Coconut shortage is due to mainly crop damage as a result of monkeys etc. Then damage due to white fly. Also the population has gone up with time and coconut requirement has gone up. Same with restaurants and exports. So what should be done is solve above major crisis. Then allow growing of coconut trees in paddy fields which are not used for last 10 years or low yield paddy fields.

2 5

Lk Friday, 24 January 2025 10:14 AM

What is exact reasons for shortage of coconuts? Monkeys have done enough damages and why don’t you controls them ? We can stop curing tress but if trees don’t produce ? Or young coconuts are destroyed? Be readable and be logical and rationale ?

1 4

Jude Friday, 24 January 2025 10:58 AM

After decades of cutting down like 100 million coconut trees, now Applying mandatory permits. With permits Even still cutting down coconut trees. What we need a system to re-planting. If hundred trees are cut who ever responsible must re-plant 500 trees in designated areas in countrywide. The only solution is re-planting coconut trees. All the developers builders building housing industrial and commercial buildings must be responsible for re-planting of coconut trees. Period. People remember we used to export coconuts and desiccated coconut.

1 4

Yohan Friday, 24 January 2025 12:29 PM

We have so many unused paddy fields due to water issues and various problems. This is why such paddy fields have not being used for decades. So best thing is to grow coconut trees similar to Thailand where the coconut trees are grown in elevated rows while rest is water. Then fish or prawns or any similar things can be done in areas that has water and the water path is a good way for transport as well. Should run few similar pilot projects first and then apply to all unused or low yield paddy fields.

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