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Sri Lanka: new measures against deforestation

A ban on chainsaw imports and new sawmills. These are the new measures that the President of Sri Lanka has decided to take in an effort to protect the country's forests.

To fight deforestation, the Sri Lankan president forbids the import of chainsaws

Chainsaw imports and new sawmills have been banned in Sri Lanka to halt the mass deforestation affecting the country. President Maithripala Sirisena has just announced the adoption of these measures.

Every year, the forest in Sri Lanka shrinks by about 1.5%. The excessive exploitation of wood threatens biodiversity and affects water resources. The current president has made fighting this problem a priority. In early 2019, to fight this trafficking, officials required users of chainsaws to declare them to the police. The result: 82,000 reported in 3 weeks.

Now, the government has banned the import of new chainsaws without specifying whether the ones already in the country would be affected. In another development, sawmill owners will receive help to switch to a new trade. At the same time, the country encourages the planting of forests. The goal is to increase Sri Lanka’s forest cover by 14%.

06/13/2019 10:22 AMupdated: 06/13/2019 4:19 PM
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34 comments

  • Daniel K.
    06/13/2019 10:33

    Isnt that the same president that isnt collaborating with the investigation about the terror attack that killed 200+? such an open minded guy.....

  • Juanita S.
    06/13/2019 10:33

    OMG HOW DO THESE 3RD WORLD COUNTRIES GET CHAIN SAWS.????????????????

  • Prashanth M.
    06/13/2019 10:34

    even this is not enough. The whole population, with military help should be engaged in propagation and planting of trees. Also fight wildlife-terrorism.

  • Buddhika P.
    06/13/2019 10:35

    There was a massive destruction of large forest areas during the past few decades, including his governed time. He didn't take any kind of action to stop such kind of disasters. Still the deforestation, killing tuskers for ivory, unauthorized hydro power plants and illegal mining are happening in Sri Lanka. This is not a solution for it. Strengthen the law, that's what we need from a president. Instead of doing useless things and expressing silly words.

  • Jeffrey L.
    06/13/2019 10:40

    Ummm... can't you just plant new trees? You know... cut down a tree... plant a tree?

  • Margaret G.
    06/13/2019 11:08

    Well thoughr out hope it works the earth needs the trees

  • Paula A.
    06/13/2019 12:50

    They tried the same in Brazil... then the criminals brought their tractors and chains...

  • Victor A.
    06/13/2019 13:03

    THIS IS WHAT POLICAL WIIL IS ALL ABOUT. I HOPE THE SELLING OF CHAINSAWS WILL ALSO BE BANNED IN BAGUIO.

  • Shady E.
    06/13/2019 13:48

    👍👍

  • Elijah D.
    06/13/2019 13:53

    Exactly 👽🌍

  • Dan C.
    06/13/2019 14:28

    PI should do this

  • Nazmul H.
    06/13/2019 17:10

    Wow 😍 ❤️

  • Krystin S.
    06/13/2019 20:26

    Hoffentlich nicht nur ein Lippenbekenntnis.... 🤔🤔🤔

  • Elisa Z.
    06/14/2019 03:15

    👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • Joseph M.
    06/14/2019 10:33

    Bah

  • Patrice G.
    06/14/2019 11:30

    Forests precede peoples, deserts follow them! François-René De Chateaubriand

  • Sameera B.
    06/14/2019 13:04

    මුගේ බොරු අරහේ විල්පත්තුව කපනවා බොරුවට මේවා තහනම් කරනවා.

  • Andi N.
    06/15/2019 10:10

    Mantap

  • Rahula G.
    06/15/2019 17:21

    Seems like biggest issue with deforestation is state sponsored irrigation and resettlement schemes. A ban/restrictions on chain saws and complete ban on mobile saw mills will help curb deforestation.. https://www.facebook.com/858519893/posts/10157310702669894?s=556105035&sfns=mon

  • Sameera R.
    06/16/2019 11:41

    බලපංකො මේ යකා ලෝකෙම රවට්ටල තියන විදිය. මේ වීඩියෝ එක දාපු එකා මෙහෙ ඇත්ත තත්වෙ දන්නවනම් බයිල් ගහේ ඉඳන් කපාගන්නවා යකෝ.