The enthusiasm shown in cutting down Palmyrahs not shown in replanting them, say Social Activists

Several thousand Palmyrah trees are cut down for various purposes including housing schemes. But the replanting is undertaken in a slow pace, it is pointed out.

The reconstruction of several thousands of house destroyed in the war are being constructed now. Thousands of palmyrahs are being felled for various purposes with or without permission. Because the ‘Katpakatharu’ ( Provider of all its parts for use by others.) is being destroyed and livelihood of several thousand people will become a question mark. Hence replanting is an important task. But that is not happening. Replanting should be speed up, say Social Enthusiasts.

Although the Divisional Secretaries have called for increased replanting, the Palmyrah Development Board had arranged for only, 150,000 seeds while the Divisional Secretaries in peninsula had asked for 1,563,000 seeds. Neduntheevu had called for 50,000, with Kayts – 11,000, Velanai -90,000,Karainagar -8,000,Jaffna -3,000, Nallur -5,000, Uduvil -200, Sandilipay – 5,000,  Chankanai – 25,500, Kopay -600, Chavakachcheri – 64,000, Karaveddy – 20,000,Point Pedro – 10,000 and Maruthankerny – 1,270,000.

We do not have stocks to supply this amount. We never collect that much.150,000 seed will planted this year.  Next year we will collect more seed to cater the demand. 2,000 seeds will be planted in Kachchatheevu, said the Palmyra Board.