Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation, and Community Infrastructure, has instructed the Forest Conservation Department to take immediate legal action against all unauthorized constructions within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The directive, issued yesterday (30), also called for the immediate reclamation of the affected land back into the reserve.
The order followed an observation tour conducted by the Secretary to assess illegal activities within the Sinharaja forest. During the tour, it was revealed that a forest sanctuary had been constructed without the necessary approvals, including the development of a carpeted road leading to the site. The Secretary noted the installation of a gate and fencing designed to restrict public access to the land surrounding the building, which is reportedly associated with a structure named Aranya Senasana.
Chandrakeerthi directed senior officials of the Forest Conservation Department to initiate legal proceedings to halt the unauthorized construction and expedite the reclamation of the land in question.
Despite action being taken by the department in a separate case involving the illegal acquisition of land near the Aranya Senasana, the Secretary expressed concern over the department’s inaction regarding the construction of the Aranya Senasana itself, demanding clarification from the officials involved.
