Project Detail

Biodiversity Conservation in Bakmitiyawa Timbirigolla Forest through community participation by National Ethnic Unity Foundation

Conservation of grass land in Tirukkowil DS, uplift by 20% the income of 125milk farmer families in Wattamadu and seek their assistance to conserve the forest and forest conservation in Panalgama Bakmitiyawa

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

National Ethnic Unity Foundation

Country:

Sri lanka

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP5 – Y4 (Jul 14 – Jun 15)

Grant Amount:

US$ 31,237.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 3,535.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 4,371.00

Project Number:

SRL/SGP/OP5/STAR/BD/2014/13

Start Date:

7/2014

End Date:

12/2015

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Capacity - Building Component

A series of training programs on dairy farming will be provided for 120 farmers of dairy farming society.75 Students of Pannalgma , Bakmitiyaawa, Manthottama schools will be facilitated with four workshops regarding biodiversity and environmental management. Later these students will be placed on a test where trophies and gifts will be distributed among the winners.

Notable Community Participation

A sustainable management plan will be prepared for Wattamadu grass land with the help of the dairy farmers (125 families) and governmental officers of the area. There is a platoon of school children who actively contribute in environmental conservation actions.Originally 600 acres of total encroached grassland area used for illegitimate paddy cultivation will be reduced by 80% with the involvement of the regional community.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Bee keeping facilities will be provided to fifty selected dairy farmer families, along with the required technology. A trade Centre will be constructed to market the agricultural products An area of 3.5 acres will be converted to an agro forest that will benefit the communities living close to the forest.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

Improve the existing circular loan system in dairy farmers society by giving the capital and technical support required. Diversifying the market for the milk harvest by manufacturing secondary products such as pasteurized milk, yoghurt, ice-cream, curd etc which are more profitable

Linkages gef projects

N/A

Planning non gef grant

N/A

Gender Focus

Not applicable

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Not applicable

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Series of display boards will be erected around the boundary of Wattamadu grassland containing the information about rules and regulations for using and conserving the grassland habitat. Developing gardens of three selected schools by introducing native plants. Distribution of educational material and books on environment and nature to the school libraries. Continuous Awareness development among the villagers about the forest ecosystem and the services it provide

Policy Influence

The Forest Ordinance of Sri Lanka being influenced through the following process Colombo Appeal Court: Case Number 399/11 Ritz ordinance Counter filed by the farmers ? Potuvil APL 19878/PC/14HCEP/REV/122/14 High courts Kalmunei- Ref. Appeal EP/HC/KAL/REVI/122/2014- Ref/appeal/Farmers/ C.A.APN/01/2015 As a result, 3850 ha of the Bakmitiyawa reserve encroached by 60 Illegal paddy farmers was restored and released from further destruction

Policy Impact

The area which is encroached illegally has been declared as Bakmitiyaawa-Thimbirigolla reserve by the government Gazette of 01.10.2010, similarly Wattamadu grassland is legally protected by the government Gazette 217/51 of 17.06.1976. As this project aimed to evacuate encroaches and adopt a sustainable management plan, it has a positive impact of the government environmental policy. If successfully completed, the project could be used a model to promote sustainable use of protected habitats

Project sustainability

Two CBOs (1-Alayadivembu Livestock and Dairy Farmers - Protest, Liaisons Agricultural Co-op society LTD. 2-Mithrathva Agro products foundation) are willingly contributing to ensure the continuity of the activities initiated by the project. Under the supervision of those two CBOs, a monthly contribution to conserve the sanctuary will be allocated by the beneficiaries. Increased income of the home gardens will lead to project sustainability

Replication of project activities

Using this GEF project as a model, another project of similar forest management problem has been implemented near the project location under the UN-REDD CBR+ scheme.

Project Results

1. The grassland/ forest reserve of a total of 3850 ha released for its original purpose of maintaining low land dry zone forests habitats for native fauna.
2. Reduced land degradation by converting the protected grassland to cattle grazing land sustainably managed by the peripheral community.
3. Water sources (three man made tanks) located within the PA released from over exploitation for agriculture and thereby being made available for fauna occupying the habitat, this leads to potential reduction of H& E conflict.
4. Livelihood enhancement through increased income ,skill development and increased production efficiency.
5. Diversification of the peripheral agricultural areas from mono crops to multi cropped complex agro ecosystem, increasing both income and biodiversity
6. The availability of year around agricultural water supply has increased for 24 households by constructing 02 crop wells, hence their income has increased while reducing the destructive use of the forest.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of globally significant species protected by project 1

Biophysical

Number of national policies informed in biodiversity focal area 1

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with local governments/authorities 2

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 150

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