Tree Dominated Agriculture for Environmental Services and Sustainable Livelihoods in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Rapidly dwindling forest cover has resulted in increased efforts in reclamation,rehabilitationand restoration in Sri Lanka. Forest reclamationis carried out by the Statethrough the planting of exotic tree monocultures. Rehabilitation is undertaken by State andNon Government Organisations (NGO) such as Neo Synthesis Research Centre (NSRC)through community based forestry programs. NSRC takes a watershed perspective inrehabilitation where activities include the conversion of degraded homegardens to forestgardens. Multi functional landscape designs are used that mimic the architectural structureand ecological function of the closest natural forest. They usenative and exotic species sincethe design aims at soil and water conservation, production of food, timber, medicine, fodder,fuelwood and recreating habitat. Riparian areas adjacent to the gardens are restored usingonly native species of plants, as are the buffer zones on the boundaries of gardens that abutnatural forest. This paper evaluates some landscape level rehabilitation efforts undertaken byNSRC.

48 chena lands were converted to forest gardensin the Maragala Oya watershed. Acomparative study of birddetections, assemblages and richness was carried out in forest andforest gardens. While the forest gardens had a greater number of species, the forest plots hada higher number of endemics. Farmer income had increased with pepper as the dominantcrop.

The phytoremediation of ground water was undertaken in the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Nativevegetation was established around adrinking water well contaminated with nitrates andnitrites and the surroundings subject to organic agriculture. Canopies formed above groundand a dense root mat below after which water was tested monthly for 5 years. Analysis ofdata revealed a reduction in nitrates and electrical conductivity and a return to potability.

Tsunami affected lands were rehabilitated in Kalmunai. 250 homegardens were re-establishedwith a focus on tree dominant agriculture, a 3 km coastal forest to buffer imminent sea levelrise was established andthe microwatersheds of 1,001 wells were planted to effectphytoremediation. Food security was enhanced where the value of the vegetables cultivatedwas 35% of total income. The 9 year coastal forest is now mature and there are trees aroundwells.

Part of a privately owned, degraded land in Serukelewas restored to forestand another partconverted to regenerative agriculture. Phenomenal growth was witnessed in ten years wheremore than 60% shade has been established. The habitat recreated was tested for mammalassemblages. Continuous monitoring revealed that of the 41 species found in the WilpattuNational Park, 21 or 50% were observed on Munamal Estate.