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ArticleJournal articleAddressing the challenge of deforestation in Sri Lanka: Potentials of sustainable forest governance through policy and institutional integration
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.As one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots, Sri Lanka indicates a high level of endemicity in most taxonomic groups and a considerable number of threatened species (Voluntary National Review, 2018). However, the forest cover in Sri Lanka has decreased from 40% to 29.7% during the period from 1940 to 2017 (UN-REDD, 2017). Deforestation has become a challenge due to increased population, high demand for land and major development projects. Although there are several policies to improve sustainable forest governance in Sri Lanka, certain fragmentations and clashes can be identified when they reach their implementation stage. The national level institutions such as the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation face several accountability clashes with other government institutions that consider large scale development as a top policy priority. The result is the rapid deforestation and forest degradation. This study focuses on why the forest governance in Sri Lanka experiences certain difficulties in addressing the challenge of deforestation and explores the potentials of sustainable forest governance through policy and institutional integration. The research was based on qualitative data gathered conducting semi-structured interviews with officials and representatives of the forest- related national level institutions, provincial and local government bodies, environmental non- governmental organizations and community-based organizations. Additional data were collected observing deforestation in lowland, montane, dry zone, monsoon and mangrove forests in Sri Lanka during the year 2019/2020. The findings suggest that the major barrier against sustainable forest governance in Sri Lanka is politically-influenced arbitrary implementation of sudden ‘development’ policies by the government that encourage deforestation. The forest governance policies and the forest-related institutionsneed to be integrated towards addressing the challenge of deforestation. Keywords: deforestation, sustainable forest governance, policy integration, Sri Lanka ID: 3486425 -
ArticleJournal articleLand use and land use changes by the farmers from mulberry (Morus alba) plantations to green forest tree based farming for income growth and sustainability in Malda district of India
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Malda district was famous for two economic activities viz. Mango (Mangifera indica) cultivation and rearing mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori). Earlier silkworm rearing was a flourishing cottage industry and every households of Kaliachak block reared silkworm for cocoon production. It was the major livelihood of rural farmers but they suffered heavily due to cheap import of silk from China. Thus, the backbone of farmers was crippled, hence they started cultivating various trees in mulberry fields along with agricultural crops for sustaining their livelihood. Present study was undertaken to know how farmers adjusted to new situation, their knowledge about trees, income growth and sustainability. It was observed that mulberry was raised as herb and leaves were fed to the silkworm larvae at home. Traditionally farmers planted Dalbergia sissoo trees on the border of mulberry fields but later on they started planting other trees. A few farmers uprooted their mulberry bushes and converted to Swietenia macrophylla plantation. Some farmers converted their entire land to Mango and Litchi chinensis orchards for long term gains. Besides, some traditional farmers, around 10% still continued with silkworm rearing for their livelihood security but planted few rows of trees like Tectona grandis, D.sissoo, Bombax ceiba, S.macrophylla and Acacia auriculiformis. Few big farmers converted their mulberry fields into ponds for fishery, however, planted Mango and Sissoo on border. The first crops inside the tree plantations were Maize, Papaya and Vegetables which gave farmers quick income. Later, Banana and Citrus were planted. These activities are still continuing, but timber harvesting has also started which will give high returns. These forest tree based land changes not only provided sustainable income growth to farmers, but also made them drought resilient leading to climate change mitigation and adaptation besides conserving plant biodiversity. Key words: Landscape management, Agriculture, Biodiversity conservation ID: 3475637 -
ArticleJournal articleProtecting special wild tree species and traditional knowledge towards securing livelihoods of rural communities: A study on Kithul (Caryota urens) industry in Sri Lanka
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.People in tropical island countries have long-lasting connections with wild trees that help securing their livelihoods. Deforestation, extensive use of chemicals and unsustainable forest resource management have resulted in losing tree-based natural products and rural livelihoods based on such trees. As a tropical island country, Sri Lanka is a home for many different native palm tree species. When considering the economic value, Kithul (Caryota urens) has the highest potential and economic viability among the non-timber forest product categories in Sri Lanka (Senaratne et al, 2003). Rural communities use Kithul as a multiple-use tree with a considerable economic value through processing the Kithul sap into toddy, treacle and jaggery that have a high market demand locally and abroad (De Zoysa, 2017). However, it can be observed that the present consumerism and monocultural practices affect the traditional Kithul industry. The Kithul product supply is insufficient to accommodate the market demand and the products indicate a low quality. Hence, this research investigates the causes for the low quality of products and the discouragement of rural communities to involve in Kithul industry, and finds ways to secure rural economies and livelihoods based on such industry. Based on Sinharaja, Dediyagala and Peak Wilderness lowland rainforests, the primary data of this research were collected conducting semi-structured interviews with the villagers who involved in Kithul industry. The Kithul products were observed and tasted during field visits to collect additional information. The government introduced chemicals to increase Kithul sap harvests and the forest conservation laws prohibiting access to forests have resulted in declining Kithul industry. If the rural communities given limited access to forests and encouraged to grow Kithul trees in their home gardens they could practice their traditional knowledge related to Kithul industry to sustainably re-assure their livelihoods. Keywords: Kithul (Caryota urens) industry, traditional knowledge, rural communities, livelihoods, Sri Lanka ID: 3486467
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Book (series)FlagshipThe State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021
Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all
2021In recent years, several major drivers have put the world off track to ending world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. The challenges have grown with the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures. This report presents the first global assessment of food insecurity and malnutrition for 2020 and offers some indication of what hunger might look like by 2030 in a scenario further complicated by the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes new estimates of the cost and affordability of healthy diets, which provide an important link between the food security and nutrition indicators and the analysis of their trends. Altogether, the report highlights the need for a deeper reflection on how to better address the global food security and nutrition situation.To understand how hunger and malnutrition have reached these critical levels, this report draws on the analyses of the past four editions, which have produced a vast, evidence-based body of knowledge of the major drivers behind the recent changes in food security and nutrition. These drivers, which are increasing in frequency and intensity, include conflicts, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns – all exacerbated by the underlying causes of poverty and very high and persistent levels of inequality. In addition, millions of people around the world suffer from food insecurity and different forms of malnutrition because they cannot afford the cost of healthy diets. From a synthesized understanding of this knowledge, updates and additional analyses are generated to create a holistic view of the combined effects of these drivers, both on each other and on food systems, and how they negatively affect food security and nutrition around the world.In turn, the evidence informs an in-depth look at how to move from silo solutions to integrated food systems solutions. In this regard, the report proposes transformative pathways that specifically address the challenges posed by the major drivers, also highlighting the types of policy and investment portfolios required to transform food systems for food security, improved nutrition, and affordable healthy diets for all. The report observes that, while the pandemic has caused major setbacks, there is much to be learned from the vulnerabilities and inequalities it has laid bare. If taken to heart, these new insights and wisdom can help get the world back on track towards the goal of ending hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms. -
Book (stand-alone)Technical bookE-agriculture in action: Drones for agriculture 2018
Also available in:
No results found.The FAO-ITU E-agriculture strategy guide (available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5564e.pdf) is actively being used to assist countries in the successful identification, development and implementation of sustainable ICT solutions for agriculture. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, and connected analytics has great potential to support and address some of the most pressing problems faced by agriculture in terms of access to actionable real-time quality data. Goldman Sachs predicts that the agriculture sector will be the second largest user of drones in the world in the next five years. Sensor networks based on the Internet of things (IoT) are increasingly being used in the agriculture sector to meet the challenge of harvesting meaningful and actionable information from the big data generated by these systems. This publication is the second in the series titled E-agriculture in action (2016), launched by FAO and ITU, and builds on the previous FAO publications that highlight the use of ICT for agriculture such as Mobile technologies for agriculture and rural development (2012), Information and communication technologies for agriculture and rural development (2013) and Success stories on information and communication technologies for agriculture and rural development (2015). The ultimate aim is to promote successful, scalable, sustainable and replicable ICT for agriculture (ICT4Ag) solutions. -
BookletHigh-profileFAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031 2022The FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031 was endorsed by FAO Council in June 2022. This new strategy replaces the previous strategy from 2017 to better FAO's climate action with the Strategic Framework 2022-2031, and other FAO strategies that have been developed since then. The Strategy was elaborated following an inclusive process of consultation with FAO Members, FAO staff from headquarters and decentralized offices, as well as external partners. It articulates FAO's vision for agrifood systems by 2050, around three main pillars of action: at global and regional level, at country level, and at local level. The Strategy also encourages key guiding principles for action, such as science and innovation, inclusiveness, partnerships, and access to finance.