The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) announced that Divisional Secretariats countrywide have the authority to stop the felling of coconut trees and clearing of coconut lands with their prior approval or the approval of authorised officials at the area coconut development offices.
Speaking at a media briefing, CCB Chairman Dr. Sunimal Jayakody said unless laws to ban the felling of coconut trees unnecessarily are enforced, the islandwide coconut shortage could not be easily solved.
Quoting reports, the CCB Chairman said certain large-scale coconut landowners are in the habit of clearing their coconut lands for commercial purposes.
He said he will also bring this matter to the notice of divisional secretaries, so that they, with the help of officials including grama niladaris, could stop the felling of trees by individuals without obtaining prior approval from responsible officials.
Jayakody further said cutting down coconut trees without a valid reason and also without prior approval is illegal and anybody who violates this rule could be fined or face a six-month imprisonment or both.
Meanwhile, Coconut Growers Association (CGA) Chairman Nimalaratna Senanayake said the Government should also impose a rule for everybody to plant coconut saplings in their home gardens.
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