Forestry Conference In Sri Lanka

" (it's) a good opportunity for Commonwealth professionals to contribute to the reconstruction efforts of communities as well as conservation for sustainable development of natural resources."

The conference, hosted by the Forest Department and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Sri Lanka, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse with the participation of Environment and Natural Resources Minister A H M Fowzie.

Some 120 participants from 27 countries will attend the conference, with support from the Department for International Development of the UK, the Commonwealth Foundation and the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Commonwealth Forestry Conference is held once every four years in a Commonwealth country. It is focused on conservation and sustainable management of the world's forests and the contribution they make to people's livelihood.

Rudo Chitiga, Acting Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, said: "Holding the foresters' meeting in Sri Lanka so soon after the devastation caused by the tsunami provides a good opportunity for Commonwealth professionals to contribute to the reconstruction efforts of communities as well as conservation for sustainable development of natural resources."

The six-day conference will include two field trips to observe forestry practices in Sri Lanka. One trip is a tour of the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forests to witness forest resources conservation. The other trip is to Kandy to observe traditional home gardens and spice gardens, with visits to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya and Udawattakele.

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 223   23 February 2005

Related Websites:

• Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Sri Lanka
• Commonwealth Forestry Association