Analog Forestry Project in Belipola, Mirahawattha
(Courtesy of UN-REDD)
As we all agree on the importance of development in Sri Lanka, we must also recognize its current destruction of our natural resources. We have trampled down many of our precious resources in the name of progress. Will we be able to restore the forest resources that have benefitted us so much thus far?
As many as 52 years ago the rapid consumption of our forests was predicted by a Sri Lankan Student named Ranil Senanayake. He decided that the disappearance of our forests would eventually need to be answered through a system of analog forestry.
In about 1965 analog forestry was thought up from a concern for rapdily vanishing birds, snakes, and butterflies that were once so common. He noted an answer in ancient home-gardens which are rich in biodiversity. In an analog forest vegetation is specifically chosen to promote biodiversity and to fit together like pieces of a puzzle to meet the needs of a biodiversity hotspot. The analog forest will provide a farmable crop while boasting an exquisitely biodiverse habitat. It’s like intentionally building a forest to grow a desired set of vegetation to meet your needs.
The blueprint starts with the area’s natural forest. It is the basis of a forest that should be created in a farm. By studying different forests at different stages of maturity the roadmap to the final structure could be sketched out.
In 1978 upon receiving a doctorate in System Ecology he started his own experiments with analog forestry in his forest institute at ‘Belipola’, Mirahawatthe, Bandarawela. Trials and researches at Belipola Estate were very promising. On the sixth year the Export Crop Department declared that the ‘experimental one acre plot’ of Belipola has adequate canopy closure, humic soil, and air moisture to grow cardamom in an integrated setting. This is a remarkable feat from the barren land they started with. Also, many unique types of tree frogs and forest fauna migrated in to this former scrub land. Today, Belipola has reached a milestone in analog forestry boasting a prime teaching example for how great the benefits of analog forestry can be. Dr. Senanayake regularly holds workshops in Belipola and abroad. His expertise in analog forestry can be used to create well complimented forests, and to avoid many pitfalls along the way.
Farming via analog forestry produces multiple crops that can be harvested throughout the year. This approach to farming can create a far more stable income for farmers. Analog forestry for farming takes careful preparation and planning, but can yield substantial incomes as well as creating an environment for biodiversity to thrive.
Analog forestry is now a mainstream subject in many universities in Sri Lanka and abroad. Tropical countries are extending analog forestry training to farmers to encourage these practices. In Sri Lanka analog forestry is being applied in numerous villages. In 1996 the Environment Liaising Center International (Nairobi) and Both-Ends (The Netherlands) accepted analog forestry as their institutional responsibility.
Many global institutes are on a forward marching restoring the world’s ecosystems from such pressing issues. Sites like these are supported by the UN-REDD program. UN-REDD is the worldwide movement to reduce emission of greenhouse gases due to degradation and destruction of forests. Local communities worldwide can see great benefits from being directly involved with REDD+ activities. To learn more visit reddpluslk.com.
Source – 28/05/2017, The Island , See more at – http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=165850
