Agro- forestry system to protect both the Sinharaja forest and the peripheral villages (a case study of the southern part of Sin haraja)

Sinharaja, a 'Tropical Wet Ever Green Rain Forest' situated between latitude 6° 21' -6026' Nandlongitude 80031' - 80034' E in Sri Lanka is surrounded by more than 27 peripheral villages. Thevillagers have interacted with the forest for many years .The objective of this study is to verify theaptness of introducing the Agro-forestry System into these peripheral villages to protect both theforest and the villages. The villages situated in the southern part of Sinharaja namely, Kosmulla,Thabalagama, Madugeta, Warukandeniyaa and Kollonthotuwa were selected for primary-datacollection. Participatory observation approach is basically used while adhering to the secondary andtertiary data as well. According to study there is a traditional yet unorganized agro-farming systemamong these villagers. So, many cultivated creepers varieties and tree species can be seen in theyards. Also, for years the villagers have used the forest for many purposes. Thus, when the villagersencroach forest the forest tends to decline. Also, due to mono- crop cultivation, especially tea, quality ofsoi! diminishes and tea cultivation has caused many environmental problems. Thus, stabilization ofa systematic Agro- forestry system in these areas would minimize the environmental problems andwould conserve both' Sinharaja' and its peripheral villagers. Further, this kind of stabilization processshould go parallel with the prevalent lifestyles and culture of the villagers. Additionally, that processshould provide villagers with economical advantages. Moreover, plantation of crop verities in the tealands should be encouraged as well as animal husbandry, apiculture and plantation of medicinal plantetc. Yet, the contribution and the sponsorship of the government and non-government organizations,plan and policy making ofscientists and the active participation of the peripheral villagers are essentialto bring these activities into success

Agro- forestry system to protect both the Sinharaja forest and the peripheral villages (a case study of the southern part of Sin haraja)

Kandyan homcgardens are the most predominant upland cropping system which supposed tobe highly adapted, diversified, economically and environmental viable land use system. Objectives ofthis study were to identify problems and improvement potentials to this important system of landmanagement. Data were collected from randomly selected (n=65) homegardens in Yatinuwara DistrictSecretariat division during 2006. A vegetation survey was conducted to evaluate the structure andcomposition of homegardens. A household survey was conducted by interviewing the members toidentify tree use practices by family members, constraints and improvement potentials. Secondarydata were also collected from Agrarian Service Centres, maps and reports.Hornegardens in the study area have maintained diverse on farm trees. They cultivating andusing at least 138 species of which 36, 34, 24 and 6% comprised timber, medicinal plant, fruit tree andexport agricultural crop species. There are 73, 193,300 and 147, individuals of timber, fruit medicinaland export agricultural crops plants/ha indicating high plant density per unit area. These speciesgrown on homegardens have substantially contributed to meet the dai ly need of household, supplyingmainly fruit, green vegetable, timber and fuelwood. Some of these species have medicinal value andalso play an important role in soil conservation. This suggests that homegardens are important as asource of conserving agro-biodiversity, species, habitat and landscape protection. However, morethan half of the homegardens of Yatinuwara area are 20-80 perches category which indicate landfragmentation. Thus, each land unit has to playa vital role with limited land availability. Therefore,sustainable management practices are very important to increase production to reach increasing demanddue to increasing human population while maintaining the resource base. In satisfying necessarychanges to hornegardens, availability of quality planting material (only 22% had access to recommendedplanting material), height offruit trees, poor soil management and labour scarcity were identified asmajor problems in Yatinuwara area. There are improvement potentials to homegardens by increasingthe productivity of the existing system. It is possible even to increase the number of trees perhomegardens by introducing new varieties. It is also possible to replace existing less productiveindividuals by certified planting material. In addition, management of soil can also be improved byintroducing new techniques such as compost preparations with garbages and fallen leaves whichrequire attitudinal changes of households. Implications of these are discussed with respect to food,nutritional and health security and income generation.