Forestry Programme for Tsunami-Affected Areas

A Forestry Programme for early rehabilitation of tsunami affected areas in Ampara District is to be implemented by the Forest Department. The programme is sponsored by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) with the financial support of the Government of Finland. The Project National Field Officer is MA Ibnu Suhood.

The project has five components and has been earmarked for nineteen sites in nine DS Divisions. The components are:

• Coastal shelterbelt development
  
• Mangrove rehabilitation
  
• Home garden development
  
• Avenue planting
  
• Urban planting

The project’s objective is to address the immediate needs of the affected populations through forest rehabilitation and reforestation. This will provide forestry-related employment and related benefits, as well as contributing to a safer future for people living in the area through increased coastal protection and an improved environment.

A meeting to discuss the project was held at Athaullah Arangam Mr. Ibnu Suhood.
Invitees were invited to express their ideas on how best to implement the project and included Additional Government Agent ULA Azees, Deputy Director Planning AA Bawa, Assistant Commissioner of Local Government Peer Mohamed, Central Environmental Authority’s Assistant Director-Ampara M.A.C.Najeeb, Divisional Secretaries, Predeshya Saba Chairmen, and others. All parties agreed to extend their fullest support to complete this programme at the earliest possible date.