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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 -
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 -
ArticleEmpowering local communities to protect forestry resources and reverse deforestation and forest degradation in high value Chilgoza forests in the Kalash valley of Pakistan
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.The Kalash valley of Chitral district of Pakistan possesses unique culture and forestry resources, including the Chilgoza forests, which are of high conservation value and a major source of livelihood. Chilgoza trees grow very slowly, thrive in high mountain areas of difficult access, and have a very low rate of survival in reforestation. The total forest area in the valley is 7 530 hectares with a population of 11 650. Forestry resources are limited and subject to deforestation and degradation, mainly due to fuelwood collection and animal grazing. 78 percent of these forests are understock and 74 percent of them have little to no regeneration. This has dire implications for the local communities who depend on the forests for products and services. Following the Kalash community’s request to reverse deforestation and forest degradation, FAO developed a project under The Restoration Initiative (TRI) in line with the national initiative “Clean and Green Pakistan”. It aims to empower local communities and engage them in the conservation and management of the Chilgoza forest by supporting the gender-inclusive Chilgoza Forest Protection and Conservation Committees (CFPCC). As the CFPCCs are endorsed by the provincial Forest Department, they are empowered to implement rules and regulations. The CFPCC set rules for forest protection (such as stopping the illicit cutting of trees, regulating livestock grazing, protecting wildlife, overseeing the harvesting of non-timber forest products) as well as for the harvesting of Chilgoza cones to prevent both overharvesting and the collection of immature cones. Improved Chilgoza cone harvesting tool sets have been provided and 12 assisted natural regeneration sites have been set up where local communities ensure grazing exclusion. Through local value addition for the Chilgoza nut, local communities increase their revenue. Local empowerment of communities allows for significant deforestation and degradation reduction. Key words: Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Innovation, Gender, Economic Development ID: 3485821
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