The Central Environment Authority (CEA) under its novel programme of cleaning countrywide rivers, lakes and streams recently focused special attention towards cleaning the Sacred Sri Pada mountain area by collecting and disposing of all used polythene papers, polythene bags and discarded empty plastic bottles that are thrown elsewhere by pilgrims.
According to records, tens of thousands of devotees who visit this holy mountain annually are in the habit of littering the Sri Pada vicinity by dumping tons of discarded polythene papers and empty plastic cans.
Speaking to the Daily News CEA, Director General Hemantha Jayasinghe said this situation has become a threat to humans, the environment and also to the fauna and flora in the Sri Pada vicinity.
The Sri Pada season commenced from December last year until May this year.
He said people should refrain from littering garbage in this mountain area since many major rivers including the famous Samanala river originates from this mountain reserve.
He said everybody knows that Samanala Nature Reserve has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.
He further said the CEA has also decided to educate pilgrim groups with the help of Local Government bodies and volunteer organisations on the negative side of littering polythene and plastic bottles and cans, since it highly damage the unique biodiversity and pollute rivers, tributaries, streams and other water resources that finally end up in the ocean.
Director General Jayasinghe therefore made a fervent request from all pilgrims and the public to refrain from littering garbage elsewhere in the vicinity or take them back to their homes.
He said people could also handover them to waste collection centres that are maintained by Local Government bodies, private institutions and volunteer organisations and also at the entrance of the main access roads to Sri Pada.
Ananda Kannangara