Legal actions against tapping ‘Kithul’ without license in Sinharaja

Neluwa Range Wildlife Department Office has announced that legal actions will be taken against the individuals who engage in ‘Kithul’ (Caryota urens) tapping in the vicinity of the Sinharaja Rainforest without a proper license.

Neluwa Wildlife Officer B.A. Bamunusinghe stated this yesterday (24) responding to a query regarding the issues related to the ‘Kithul’ tappers.

Kithul’ tappers are able to acquire the necessary license from the Department of Forest Conservation, however, many individuals are still without the license, according to the officer.

Although nearly 532 individuals have registered at the Neluwa Divisional Secretariat, taking actions against various racketeers within the Sinharaja Rainforest premises has been made difficult as the unregistered persons also enter the forest, he added.

Hence, legal actions will be taken against any person entering the Sinharaja Rainforest without permission, he said.