The threat of man made forest fires

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Forest Department has declared that clearing forests by setting fire to it, has become a serious challenge to protecting the forest cover in Sri Lanka. Forest Conservation General W.A.C. Weragama said that they recorded over 50 incidents of man-made forest fires in Badulla and Monaragala Districts within the last month. He further added that forest fires have caused serious adverse effects to the bio-diversity in mountainous ecosystems and could even lead to landslides. According to Weragama, forests are primarily set on fire for hunting purposes and the department, along with the Police, has begun special operations to arrest the perpetrators.