Three lagoons to be made Conservation Zones

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has taken the decision to convert Nandikadal, Nayaru and Sambalativ lagoons into forest conservation zones.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera stated that the approval of the Cabinet has already been received to designate the Sambalativu lagoon as a forest conservation zone, which is rich in biodiversity.

Minister Amaraweera also stated that steps have been taken to appoint a special committee to engage in further studying the Nyaru and Nandikadal lagoons to designate them as conservation zones.

The committee is headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, Chandra Herath,  Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries Indu Ratnayake, and also includes representatives from the Department of Wildlife, the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency.

The Minister has also informed the committee to provide a report in this regard within 02 weeks.