From NALINM@AOL.COM Sun May 22 13:12:28 2005
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 10:07:28 EDT
From: NALINM@AOL.COM
To: nathistory-india@Princeton.EDU
Subject: Sri Lanka - Coastal Conservation


    [ Part 1, Text/PLAIN  27 lines. ]
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 FWD - DAILY NEWS, COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
APRIL 21, 2005
 
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COAST CONSERVATION DEPT. IN SEARCH OF SUITABLE PLANT SPECIES

BY FLORENCE WICKRAMAGE

The Coast Conservation Department in keeping with the concept of
establishing a Green Belt has commenced research into finding suitable
species of plants which would be conducive to the salty conditions of the
coastal areas as well as withstand onslaughts from possible tsunami
waves.

Whilst identifying plants which would prevent coastal erosion attention
has been focused on increasing plant species which had successfully
withstood the recent tsunami attack. Plant species already identified as
suitable include pandanus, mangroves and locally known mudilla and
kottamba.

The Coast Conservation Department hopes to enlist the support of students
and teachers of schools along the coastline to identify plant species.

A spokesman for the Department said that several non-governmental
organisations have pledged financial support for the project. The Central
Environmental Authority has already initiated work on establishing the
Green Belt on selected areas along the coastline with the assistance of
the Coast Conservation Department.

The necessity of a Green Belt along the coastline is considered important
to prevent further coastal erosions and threats from tidal waves since
coastal areas which had thick mangroves and other terrestrial plants had
not been damaged during the December 26th tsunami tidal waves.

http://www.dailynews.lk/