Environment Committee
The Diocese of Kurunagala Environment Committee conducts programmes and activities to educate the Christan community on the importance of environmental conservation and protection of fauna and flora under the purview of the Bishop of Kurunagala.
Recent updates
The main focus of activities was on the finalization and approval of the Environment Policy document. The document translated into all three languages was presented at the deanery meetings held on the 9th of March 2021 at the Cathedral Church of Kurunagala and on the 18th of April 2021 at Anuradhapura. The Kandy Deanery meeting was scheduled for 15th May 2021 after the 175th Anniversary Celebrations on 15th May 2021. However due to the lockdown in May 2021, it was postponed and therefore, the policy document was e-mailed to all clergy, and feedback was requested. Thereafter the Standing committee approval was obtained and the document was presented to the 65th 211 Diocesan Council on the 30th of October 2021. The approved document has been corrected and is ready for printing.
On 2nd October 2021, Rt. Rev. Bishops of Colombo and Kurunagala and the CEMET group from Colombo conducted a zoom meeting along with the participation of members from our Environment Committee (EC). At this meeting, plans for the 175th Anniversary to include the planting of 175 trees on parish premises were recommended for each Diocese. The EC of the DoK has been involved in tree planting on Environment Day in various parishes over the years and it was decided by the committee instead to plant 175 coconut trees at Christhodaya premises as a productive project. Rev. Nuwan was assigned to prepare the land for the planting of the trees. On the 16th of December 2021, 100 coconut trees were planted presided by the Bishop of Kurunagala. Unfortunately, Rev. Melder was unable to attend due to injuries. All trees were from donations of parishioners with St. Paul's donating 225 trees. The rest of the trees are due to be planted at the onset of the monsoon in April 2022.
To make the EC more effective, each Parish was requested to form its own EC such that more activities could be performed. The Archdeacon has informed the parish priests to form these committees at the 2022 AGM of each parish.