Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2022-02-14

Green Sri Lanka- “One Person-One Plant” National Programme - 2022

- A provision of Rs.2000/- million has been allocated under budget proposals - 2022, to implement a suitable programme to increase the forest cover up to 30% by 2025 while preserving the existing forests in Sri Lanka and to increase the forestation through beneficial plants having removed invasive plants while protecting water catchment areas. Accordingly, the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has taken measures to implement a National Programme on “One Person-One Plant”. Under the said programme, it is expected to implement following projects.

* Establishment of 200 forest villages

* Implementation of Tree Plantation Programms in Schools and National Educational Institutes in Sri Lanka.

* Establishment of Island Wide Herbal Gardens

* Implementation of Tree Plantation Programms in Religious Places.

* Implementation of Tree Plantation Programms in watersheds of reservoirs, irrigation reserves and catchment areas.

* Implementation of Tree Plantation Programms in the lands owned by Government Institutions, Semi-Government Institutions, Corporations, Boards and Statuary Boards.

* Implementation of Tree Plantation Programms in the lands owned by Plantation Companies and privately owned lands.

* Establishment of Island wide Nurseries.

* Implementation of a series of publicity campaigns to educate school children and the Community on the Wildlife and Forest Conservation.

* Identification of suitable plant species for forestation and implementation of a research programme to carry out development programmes together with the Universities.

It is expected to implement these projects under the guidance of the District Sectaries and Divisional Secretaries. Accordingly, the Cabinet decided to grant its concurrence to implement the said programme as per the proposal made by the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation.