Palmyrah trees vanish overnight
Thousands of Palmyrah trees have been felled and smuggled out of Talaimannar to be sold elsewhere, villagers said. They have demanded that this illegal act should be stopped and legal action should be taken against the culprits.
They complained that a large number of palmyrah trees were being felled in Talaimannar, Olaithoduwai, Kaddukkarankudiyiruppu, Thulukuddiyiruppu, Pesalai and Karisal even during day time and were being smuggled out by night without the knowledge of the owners.
People also complained that unidentified groups are illegally felling palmyrahs on a daily basis and their resources are being robbed.
Source – 15/06/2017, Ceylon Today , See more at – http://www.ceylontoday.lk/article20170401CT20170930.php?id=5403
Sea cucumber meant to be smuggled into Lanka seized in Tamil Nadu
Close to 600 kg of sea cucumber, an endangered coral reef species, meant to be smuggled into Sri Lanka was seized in Tamil Nadu and one suspect was arrested inconnection, Marine police told Indian media
According to DNA, acting on a tip-off, a team of Marine Police recovered the sea cucumber hidden in a sack buried off Thiruvadanai coast in this district, and confiscated it this morning, they said.
One Mohammed Wasim of Devipattinam has been arrested in this connection, they added.
Sea cucumbers, which play an important role in maintaining the marine ecological system, have been classified as endangered species and their harvest banned under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Source – 19/06/2017,Times Online, see more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1023853/sea-cucumber-meant-to-be-smuggled-into-lanka-seized-in-tamil-nadu
