Mangala De Zoysa

Casuarina Coastal Forest Shelterbelts in Hambantota City, Sri Lanka: Assessment of Impacts

Growing of Casuarina equisetifolia as a small shelterbelt on the beach in Hambantotota City was implemented to protect the beautiful natural sand dunes, preserve visual amenity and be a barrier to seawater salt spray. The casuarina shelterbelt has become popular because it was the only undamaged area in Hambantota City after the devastating 2004 tsunami. The objective of the study was to assess the impacts of the casuarina shelterbelt in economic, social and environmental terms. A survey was conducted to elicit observations and experiences of city dwellers close to the shelterbelt. Respondents did not consider that the shelterbelt reduced wind speed. Although the belt has increased the size of the sand dunes, the casuarina trees have suppressed the growth of native species as an under-storey. The belt has improved the aesthetic value of the beach. No impact of the shelterbelt has been identified in protecting agricultural crops and reducing the corrosion of household goods from seawater salt spray. The city dwellers have not recognized the economic importance of casuarina timber but are impressed with the increase of fuelwood supply from the shelterbelt. The shelterbelt has prevented illegal settlement, but facilitated anti-social and illegal activities among lawless city dwellers. The attractiveness of the beach for tourism has been enhanced. Empirical evidence reveals that the casuarina belt in Hambantota City has greater environmental and social impacts than economic impacts.

Small-Scale Rubber Planting for Enhancement of People's Livelihoods: A Comparative Study in Three South Asian Countries

South Asian upland cultivators are transitioning from subsistence production to commercial production using mainly small-scale rubber cultivation, which helps this transition and reduces poverty. This study, conducted October 2007 through February 2009, examines how small-scale rubber planting enhances peoples livelihoods. Data were gathered from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. We found differences in rubber tree stock, growth, management, and livelihood impact. Plantations in India and Sri Lanka were doing well, while Bangladesh tree stock was low. Strong institutional support, proper silvicultural practices, funding for plantation maintenance, and participant awareness of benefits contributed to satisfactory plantation conditions in India and Sri Lanka, where participants realized good earnings from tapping, while Bangladeshi participants earned little. Because monoculture rubber plantations present risks, participants should practice mixed cropping. Rubber agroforestry can be the best alternative to monoculture rubber plantations because it reconciles economic and sustainable uses of natural resources, and biodiversity conservation.

PROMOTION OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST DEVELOPMENT IN SRI LANKA

Forestry offers many market and non-market benefits of subsistence needs, commercialproduction and environmental services. The forests in Sri Lanka are used by many whilemanaged by a few. Hence, the arrangement to govern the multiple interests and needs ofdifferent stakeholders have to be clearly defined or understood. Otherwise, there will be alittle change in livelihood of forest communities and further degrade the remaining forestresources. The key elements of corporate governance are the transparent and equitablerelationships between stakeholders, accountability and participatory decision making. The papers discuss the problematic issues affecting forest development; the role ofcorporate governance in forest development; and the impacts of improving governanceon sustainable forest development. The major problematic issues are described in termsof the nature of forest resources and the nature of the ownership. The major roles ofcorporate governance are recognized as: the reforms of administrative and political bodythat make and implement forestry and environmental laws; the way these bodiesrepresent and are accountable to forest communities and civil society; and thearrangements that enable forest communities and civil society to enter into dialogue withthe government. The impacts of improving corporate governance would be the balancedpower and decision-making between central government and local government; promotedrelationship between government and forest communities; and developed relationshipswithin the forest communities

Collective Forest Management System in Japan: a Case Study in Osawa Property Ward Forest

Iriai an Indigenous forest management system in Japan from the viewpoint of “common pool resources” was a success resilient institution and resulted with sustainable production system and environmental conservation. This study was conducted in Osawa of the Nagano prefecture through group discussions, field observations and an in-depth field survey. Osawa Property Ward Forest is managed under the concept very much similarly to traditional “Iriai”. This study firstly examined the changes of collective forest management system in terms of awareness and interest in forest management; forest management activities; role of forest; and collection of forest products. Then it analyzed the current threats for collective forest management have been identified as: land abandonment due to loss of benefits and lack of active community participation; deterioration of forest environment particularly the micro-climate and aesthetic values; conflict with local government authorities restraining the use of money in property ward forest and conflict with outsiders on damping of the garbage. Community cantered forestry management rules; livelihood contribution; protection of environment; local initiatives for protection and economic activities are the prevailing opportunities for collective forest management. The main requirements for revitalization of collective forest management are explained as local reciprocity; imposition of community based forest rules; encouraging local innovations; and building partnerships with stakeholders. Collective forest management system addresses the limitations of conventional forestry models, which had invalidated traditional ‘iriai’ institutions, and key to restoring sustainable use of forest and environmental resources. Cross-institutional collaborations together with responsibilities of local communities would ensure the revitalization of forest resources..