LAUGFS Leisure launch 1000 mangrove plan

LAUGFS Leisure Limited a company which is involved in constructing a beach resort in Arachchikattuwa launched an environment project to plant 1000 mangrove tress with the participation of government officials, Non-government organisations and school children last week.

Accordingly LAUGFS Leisure Limited together with Small Fisheries Federation and Mangrove Resource Centre of Arachchikattuwa launched a 1000 mangrove trees planting project.

Divisional Secretary of Arachchikattuwa S.S. Lusena speaking at the ceremony said that environment is like the “father and mother” of human existence and protecting it is a duty cast on everyone at all the times.

“Therefore what LAUGFS is doing is highly commendable, since they have given priority to the environment whilst engaged in building a hotel. By doing that it will not only protect the environment but the entire ecology system will be preserved,” he said.

General Manager of the Mangrove Resource Centre Douglas Thissera said that Puttlum district used to be Sri Lanka’s biggest mangrove forest area until early 1980’s but reduced into a small area due to prawn farming.

“Before the introduction of the prawn farming in the Puttlum district there were 3200 hectares of mangroves grown areas in the district and due to sudden rush in to prawn farming 1600 hectares of mangroves areas were cleared and today we have only remaining 1600 hectares ” Thissera said. He also said that it is commendable to see what LAUGFS is doing where they have identified environment protection as priority activity in their dealings .

General Manager Projects LAUGFS Holdings Limited Ajith Kumarage said LAUGFS is a truly Sri Lankan enterprise which always has given prominence to the people and the environment that we are living in.

“Accordingly we consider that protecting the environment is a primary task of LAUGFS teachings and we consider that protecting environment and the way we do our business go hand in hand” he said.

General Manager LAUGFS Leisure Limited Aruna Jayalath said it is a great privilege to commence this project as LAUGFS is always committed to protect the environment .

“Our main objective of coming to Karupupone is not only engage in business but to act as a facilitator to uplift the lives of the people in the area. Before we do that we thought of giving priority to protect the environment and help the sons and daughters of the Karupupone to built a better tomorrow. And LAUGFS is here to make that happen.” he said.