COMMUNITY BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN SRI LANKA -A REVIEW OF SOME PROJECTS

Abstract

Community participation is an approach that is receiving attention across theglobe and one that marks a departure from the 'top down' orientation, whichcharacterized the cultural dimension of the modernist perspective ofdevelopment.

This paper reviews two projects, which had been formulated to conserve thecountry's natural resources and to empower people and rural communities tomanage and protect them in a sustainable manner while reaping economicbenefits. The projects that are discussed are' Akkaraseeya' site of the UpperWatershed Management Project of the Ministry of Environment and NaturalResources and Participatory Forestry Project of the Forest Department. Ineach of these projects, the degree/level of community participation, thepresence of collaborative decision making and co-management, the keystakeholders and interest of each stakeholder group, the managementstrategies adopted, the extent to which these have been able to address theneeds of the community and the degree of sustainability are being discussed.