| Author | Ekanayake, Pushpa |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SR-96-8 |
| Subject(s) | Forest management--Sri Lanka
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. SR-96-8 |
| Abstract | The Knuckles Forest (KF) in Sri Lanka is an important nature reserve in the wet zone. To protect the watershed characteristics and to conserve its rich wealth of biodiversity, it was declared as a Protected Area in 1986. As there was evidence of soil erosion, restrictions were imposed to cardamom cultivation which has been practiced since mid 1960s. With the objective to conserve KF and to improve the living conditions of the peripheral villagers, IUCN-FD prepared a Management Plan in 1994. In this study, three proposed strategies stated in the Management Plan have been selected and the feasibility was analyzed in ecological and socio economic terms. Rapid Rural Appraisal was the main technique used based on six peripheral villages of the KF. The implementation of the first strategy (Phase out the collection of cardamom from Knuckles Conservation Area), could be feasible in ecological terms. However, as the degree of dependency on cardamom income is high it could not be feasible in socio economic terms. To implement the second strategy (Promote Dry Farming Systems with Appropriate soil Conservation Measures) an integrated approach from agriculture, forestry, minor export crops, animal husbandry and irrigation Departments is an urgent need. Third strategy, (Allow harvesting of NTFPs), is feasible in ecological and socio economic terms with sustainable management of the KF. To reduce pressure on the forest lands and to fulfill the daily needs on NTFPs, Community Forestry at village level could be a promising solution in the long run. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. SR-96-8 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Lantican, Celso B.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Worah, Sejal;Hussain, Zakir; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DAAD; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |