National Report. National Report on Sri Lanka s Man and the Biosphere Programme for the Period of 2013 to June 2018

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1 National Report Sri Lanka National Report on Sri Lanka s Man and the Biosphere Programme for the Period of 2013 to June 2018 The National Science Foundation (NSF) in operation under the purview of Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, is the national focal point for UNESCO s Man and the Biosphere Programme in Sri Lanka. The National MAB Committee appointed by the NSF is responsible for getting the MAB concepts integrated into the management of natural resources and capacity strengthening in the national interest. Usually, the funds required for activities are provided by NSF. Sri Lanka s MAB programme was a direct outcome of the UNESCO-Biosphere Conference of 1968 and was launched in The landmark events organized by the National MAB Committee Periodic Review of BRs Period Review of four BRs was done in Four Periodic review reports on Sinharaja, Hurulu, Bundala and KDN IBRs were submitted to National Commission for UNESCO MAB and received commendatory remarks made by the MAB ICC in 2014 conveyed by Ms Melody Ocloo/ UNESCO, on the good standards of the PR Report of the Hurulu international biosphere reserve. UNESCO further stated that this PR report has been selected as a model for use by members of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). Follow-up activities of periodic review process Formation of a Management Steering Committee for the Bundala IBR Preparation of Education and Communication Strategies for Sri Lanka s Biosphere Reserves Discussion with the National Chamber of Commerce to seeking initiation of public- private partnerships Expansion of the Core Zone of Hurulu BR Identified GIS points for mapping Publications Updating the publication on "Natural Resources of Sri Lanka - Conditions, Trends and Prospects" The publication consists of 18 chapters written by eminent experts in the relevant fields. The publication focuses on the current conditions and trends affecting the resources, sustainable use of resources for economic development, potential investment opportunities, prospects for the industry and tourism. This is an updated version of the two previous publications, first published in 1991 and then in Report on MAB activities- Sri Lanka 1

2 Proposed Usangoda Geo-Park Nomination The proposed geo-park is situated in the coastal area of Sri Lanka consists of both land and coastal ecosystems with specific soil distribution (Only coastal areas situated among six areas consist of Serpentine soil in Sri Lanka). Prehistoric human settlements can be identified in this area with historical, cultural and archeological value. Secretary of Ministry of Environment had a series of consultative meetings with NSF and related Stakeholders prior to the Minister signing the Gazette nominating the area as a protected area in A Cabinet Memorandum was prepared and submitted for the information and recommendations of the Ministers in the Cabinet in Organizing Conferences, workshops and seminars related to the MAB Concept Human - Monkey Conflict in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in partnership with the National MAB Committee of NSF conducted a workshop and follow up meetings to bring key stakeholders and primate experts together on one platform to view this issue in its various dimensions. This has paved the way for informed solutions to be arrived to address this issue with the active collaboration of all major stakeholders. NSF organized a meeting in April 2016 to discuss the comments of the participants of the meeting in April 2014, to validate the report prepared by Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and edited by Dr Jinie Dela, member/ NSF National Committee on MAB Progamme and to get agreement from key stakeholders for implementation of the recommendations of the workshop and to take this process forward productively A Workshop to Guide Preparation of Education and Communication Strategies for Sri Lanka s Biosphere Reserves was held on October, 2015 for the field staff of Forest and Wildlife Departments who are attached to the four IBRs (Sinharaja, Hurulu, KDN and Bundala) Action taken towards environmental issues Yan Oya irrigation scheme The MAB Committee held a discussion in April 2014 on the effects of the above scheme on adjacent forest areas, with a view to organizing a national level open forum to revisit this scheme. However, further follow up action on this has been held up pending the recognition of the relevant forest areas as protected areas by the relevant departments. A comprehensive archaeological Impact Assessment and a scientific evaluation are also awaited. Report on MAB activities- Sri Lanka 2

3 Waste Disposal Site issue Aruwakkalu A field visit was organized to Aruwakkalu Old Cement Cooperation Excavation Site, Wedipitiya, Gangewadiya and the Holcim quarry site on the 27 th February, 2015 and the recommendations of the Committee were handed over to the Ministry of Environment. We are happy to note that these efforts have borne fruit and the suggested area has been decided on by the Government. Sinharaja BR field inspection visit The visit was organized by the NSF on 21 December, 2015 as a follow-up activity of periodic review process which involved a visit to see the ongoing construction activities of the proposed Mini-hydro Project across the Koskulana river at the border of the Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve, located close to the Kudawa entrance. Participation at South & Central Asia MAB Network (SACAM) meetings Sri Lanka was represented at the 6 th and 8 th SACAM meetings respectively held in 2014 and Declaration of National MAB Reserves National NAB Committee of the NSF has been involved with identification of potential areas for declaration as National MAB Reserves other than the four International Biosphere Reserves (Hurulu, Sinharaja, Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) and Bundala) in Sri Lanka. As the initial step, the following criteria for national MAB reserves have already been developed. Zonation: Appropriate zonation (very important) and what happens in these zones should be compatible with activities permitted in the BR zonation (Core zone, Buffer zone and Transition zone) Size: There is no size limitation. Even relatively small areas should qualify if they have the required zonation and functions and meet the above criteria. Models to reconcile conservation and development: The site/s should have potential to function as models to reconcile conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use and sustainable development. Demonstration of interdisciplinary approaches: The site/s should have potential for interdisciplinary approaches to understand and manage changes and interactions among social and ecological systems. Support the LIMA Action Plan: The site/s should adhere to at least some of the requirements of the LIMA action plan. Demonstration of problem solving: The site/s should demonstrate or have potential for demonstrating environmental problem solving. Management: Each site should be managed to fulfil BR requirements as per the above criteria and should have plans for some sort of management arrangement as follows. Report on MAB activities- Sri Lanka 3

4 o Management through a management committee headed by one group, privately owned and managed by a non profit agency in partnership with a state agency/authority, or co managed by a management coordinating committee The proposed Indikada Mukalana Labugama/Kalatuwawa National MAB Reserve The National MAB Committee of the NSF is in the process of assessing Indikada Mukalana Labugama/Kalatuwawa as a potential National MAB reserve. Three nature trails in the forest have already been identified and tagged as potential areas for ecotourism development. Some regenerating secondary forest areas can be utilized as camping sites for birders. With the help of the Natural History Society of Sri Lanka, a bird list has been prepared and the suitable camping sites have also been identified. The research aspects, community aspects and forest enrichment/ restoration efforts have been categorized through the ongoing research project on conservation of critically endangered western purple-faced langur (WPFL) and its forest habitats. The findings of the research project are important as practical applications to reduce the existing human-monkey conflict in the country. In addition to that socio-economic and field surveys were carried out during the research project and three Community Based Organizations (CBOs) were setup. There is a potential for the surrounding community to be empowered for preparation of organic tea and coffee towards the ultimate objective of development of a business plan for the proposed national MAB reserve. The NSF organized an inspection visit with support from the Forest Department and Institute of Fundamental Studies (by courtesy of Prof. Siril Wijesundara) on 27 th March, 2018 with the objective of authenticating the potential for designating the site as a national MAB reserve, discussion on the development of a business plan with two foreign experts (voluntary basis) and sample collections for taxonomic studies of the flora. Members of the MAB Committee, an officer of the NSF, officials of the Forest Department and representative members of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) participated. There were two trail walks and thereafter, the progress of the project was presented focusing on the research aspects, community aspects and forest enrichment/ restoration effort. The latter part of the programme was allocated for a community meeting at Dambora temple. The Chief Priest Ven. Dhammaloka Thero and office bearers of three Vandhura, Vanaya saha Viyana Mithuru Sangam (CBOs) established by the Project as the focal point for its livelihood development activities, participated in the discussion. The discussion highlighted the action taken by the ongoing Project to assist with reduction of human-monkey conflict and livelihood development to engage communities through moves for forest enrichment/restoration and crop protection methods, production of high quality bamboo products, promotion of niche market ecotourism in the forest and allied livelihoods (e.g. home stays, food preparation, bee honey, etc.) and cultivation, production and marketing of high priced organic crops (e.g. Report on MAB activities- Sri Lanka 4

5 coffee, spices, and even tea under canopy) that promote canopy cover in home gardens. The latter was to encourage maintaining canopy cover in home gardens as a buffer for the forest and linking forest fragments. Dambora would be promoted as a model village (as indicated by the SLTDA) on the lines of apey gama. Co-operation with governmental institutes The National MAB Committee of the NSF has a strong relationship with the Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka. In addition to that the Committee gets support from the Biodiversity Secretariat, the Central Environmental Authority, Universities and Private sector organizations for successfully carrying out its activities during the last five decades. Report on MAB activities- Sri Lanka 5