Saturday, June 16, 2007

NEW 'NANDIMITHRA' BRIGADE IN A UNIQUE ROLE

'Nandimithra' Brigade comprising Home guards who earlier confined to providing security to villages have taken a giant leap forward by deciding to assist the Wild Life Department in conserving forests from illicit felling of trees and poaching. The first batch consisting of 156 who completed basic training, began protecting the forest on May 18, 2007.

The members of the Nandimuthra Brigade undergo training at the Civil Security Training Headquarters at Galkiriyagama.

Unmarried Home Guards who are in good physical health may volunteer to join this new Brigade. They will operate in small groups. The first batch participated in a environmental conversation workship to educate them on ways and means of protecting the forest.

Last June 04, they successfuly completed the first operation of protecting the forest. They were able to arrest 12 persons involved in illicit feeling of trees along with a lorry and a motor cycle. Earlier the officers of the Wild Life Department had been confronted by illicit timber merchants who offered stiff resistance at first. But the members of the Nandimithra Brigade were able to bring them under control and hand over them to police.

The nation pays tribute to the new 'Nandimithra' Brigade who has undertaken the noble task of conserving Sri Lankas' forests and its Director General Rear Admiral Sanath Weerasekara for his able guidance.

(http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6129)

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