Five arrested for illegally clearing Kahalla Pallekele Sanctuary
– Five suspects have been arrested for illegally clearing forest land in the Kahalla Pallekele Sanctuary, claiming that the forest was encroaching on their crops, wildlife officials said.The Galkiriyagama Wildlife Conservation Office conducted the raid and seized a JBC machine being used by the suspects to clear the forest at the time.
The illegal clearing took place in Walpalugama, which falls under the Kahalla Pallekele Sanctuary in the Galkiriyagama Wildlife Conservation Area. Officials said the suspects had also attempted to burn and destroy parts of the forest, and were working to clear approximately five acres of land.
The arrested suspects include the driver of the backhoe. They told wildlife officials that their actions were aimed at reclaiming land for cultivation.
The suspects, along with the seized backhoe, are scheduled to be produced before the Kekirawa District Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (29).
