LTTE Damaged Ecology Around Mannar Hideouts: Army

MADHU (MANNAR), April 27: The Sri Lankan Army has accused LTTE of damaging the fragile ecology around their erstwhile stronghold here, stating that the rebels recklessly exploited the forest wealth when they were short of supplies.

An estimated 5000 trees were felled by the LTTE to construct bunkers in the deep jungles of northern district of Mannar during the last few months, the army claimed.

It said that it was worried about the environmental impact from the chopping down of trees, but did not say if it planned a re-planatation drive.

\"We have not taken any decision on replanting. First we have to clear the LTTE from Mannar before we plan restoration of the environment due to felling of over 5,000 timber trees by them\", a top military official said.

A team of journalists who visited the Mannar region near the Madhu Church, which was liberated earlier this week were shown truncated trees and logs of expensive timberwood placed amidst suspected landmines.

\"Please do not take a close look at these trees as you could sway outside the road and we have not cleared those areas from landmines planted by the LTTE\", a military official warned reporters.

The Tigers took recourse to the easy availability of timber for liberally constructing bunkers to defend against the marching Sri Lankan Army, officials said.

A defence personnel also claimed that a large number of deaths of animals had taken place in the area after it was occupied by the LTTE.

Though the LTTE had initially used the deep jungles around Mannar as their hideouts, they started exploiting the forest wealth when they were running out of fuel and other supplies such as cement and bricks, he added. (Zeenews)