Fisherfolk in Kalpitiya area expressed concern about the destruction of mangroves in the lagoon reservation which is going on unchecked. They accused the Wildlife Conservation Department and police of not taking steps to prevent this mass environmental damage. Mangroves to a distance of more than 1000 meters from Kandakudawa to Shakkupitiya villages by the side of Kalpitiya -Palaviya road have been cleared. Environmentalists pointed out that several rare varieties of mangroves identified by botanists as Manda, Thela, and Black mangroves unique to Kalpitiya lagoon have been destroyed. Their views were confirmed by a senior official of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency in Kalpitiya. He pointed out that mangroves formed the breeding ground of fish, prawns and other aquatic creatures and protected land from erosion. He said the on going destruction of mangroves would create serious environmental problems affecting human life. Fishermen of the area said the cutting down of mangroves started about four days ago. However, OIC Kalpitiya police denied any knowledge of the incident until the media personnel told him about it and that he did not receive any complaints from the public. However he promised to inform OIC Police Environmental Unit to hold a formal inquiry. Meanwhile, OIC Environmental Unit SI Munasinghe said the land owners had a right to cut down any tree in their gardens and that the media should not attempt to interfere with it. President of the World Fisheries Conference and Convener of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement Herman Kumara who stressed the importance of protecting mangroves said that the Forest Conservation Department should take action against the individuals who caused environmental damage in this manner. He pointed out it was an offence to cut down mangroves in any land, be it private property or state property. However, Divisional Secretary M.H.M. Riyaldeen said mangroves in a stretch of the lagoon reservation had been cleared, but the individual concerned were the owners of land. Meanwhile a social worker and a representative of the fisherfolk said it was surprising to find that the lagoon reservation was owned by private land owners.