Governor to hold discussions on Public Lands of Nayaru and Nandikadal Lagoons

The people of Nayaru Lagoon and Nandikadal Lagoon had made a complaint to the Governor of Northern Province Dr. Suren Raghavan stating that their lands have been taken into the Wildlife Conservation Department through a gazette notification. A meeting to probe this issue was organized at Mullaitivu District Secretariat yesterday (03).

In 2017, the Department of Wildlife Conservation acquired the Nayaru and Nandikadal areas through a gazette notification. A dispute created between the area people and the department officials as there are many private lands and paddy fields in the zone.

Governor advised the Divisional Secretary of Maritimepattu to take the initial step to identify the public lands and re-issue them to the owners with a gazette notification.

In addition, the public had also complained that the Department of Wildlife Conservation has prohibited fishing activities in these two lagoons. This discussion also focused on this matter.

It was agreed that the people in these areas can involve in traditional fishing activities in the lagoons. The Mullaithivu District Secretary brought to the attention of the Governor that funds have been allocated in 2018 to clean up these two areas but any attempts have not been made so far.

Governor ordered to the relevant officials to contact the Fisheries Department of Jaffna University to make a study regarding fishing in the lagoons and submit a report to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. At the same time, he also ordered to the Department of Wildlife Conservation to carry out the cleaning work in the Nandikadal area with full cooperation.

The Governor assured that the public lands which have been acquired by the Department of Wildlife Conservation will be handed over to the owners with a gazette notification and the support of the President.

–  Governor’s Media Unit