By Skandha Gunasekara
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to use drones and other aircrafts to detect areas of deforestation, The Sunday Morning learnt.
SLAF Media Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that aerial reconnaissance of various areas in the country have revealed deforestation. "We are doing aerial surveillance across the entire country. Daily, we are using our aircrafts, including drones, for these reconnaissance missions. We have divided Sri Lanka according to different sectors and we do our reconnaissance missions accordingly.”
He said the Knuckles Forest Reserve was among those identified.
“In Wilpattu too we have been able to find cases of deforestation.” He added that forest density is measured over a period of time to identify deforestation. “We take photographs and we analyse the forest density in various forest reserves. By comparing these images, we can see the damage caused to forests.” He said the SLAF then forwards any pictures and data to the relevant authorities.
“We examine and send these pictures to various authorities such as the Central Environmental Authority, the Forest Department, and the Wildlife Department.”
SLAF Media Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that aerial reconnaissance of various areas in the country have revealed deforestation. "We are doing aerial surveillance across the entire country. Daily, we are using our aircrafts, including drones, for these reconnaissance missions. We have divided Sri Lanka according to different sectors and we do our reconnaissance missions accordingly.”
He said the Knuckles Forest Reserve was among those identified.
“In Wilpattu too we have been able to find cases of deforestation.” He added that forest density is measured over a period of time to identify deforestation. “We take photographs and we analyse the forest density in various forest reserves. By comparing these images, we can see the damage caused to forests.” He said the SLAF then forwards any pictures and data to the relevant authorities.
“We examine and send these pictures to various authorities such as the Central Environmental Authority, the Forest Department, and the Wildlife Department.”