By Sarah HannanThe Ministry of Environment is yet to gauge the extent of coconut cultivations that have been affected by sand mining activities, The Morning learnt. We are yet to get a full report of the areas that the sand mining has taken place. Herath had raised concerns that the fertility of the soil in the coconut plantations was getting affected due to sand mining activities that were taking place. Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera meanwhile instructed the GSMB to revoke the sand mining licences issued to coconut plantation companies immediately. The Ministry also asked the GSMB to revoke any other sand mining licences, if sand mining is found to be taking place within coconut plantations across the country.

Source: The Nation December 08, 2020 02:08 UTC