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Because Mahausakande is abutting a conserved rain forest the project was designed to experiment with the possibility of regenerating a tropical rain forest.
The experiment is taking place in a rubber plantation which was originally, (about 75 years ago) a part of the forest reservation. During a period of over 15 years of neglect, the seed-fall from the forest reservation has once again taken root and grown in to medium sized trees at the site. The hilly terrain and the waterways that run through the land have helped the activity of regeneration. Seven pools have been introduced in to the landscape, each blending in to the hilly terrain, and retaining the rain water as it rushes downhill while sustaining the rain forest conditions during the dry weather.
The process of regeneration
The striking characteristic of a tropical rain forest is usually the loftiness of the dominant species and the emergent layer. As a regenerating forest, this is missing. We have introduced those species which we hope will rise above the present uniform layer of rubber. Therefore ecological restoration is done in a scientific manner, towards the establishment of a tropical rainforest.
Plant nursery
All species of vegetation introduced to the site are indigenous species found in the Wet Zone of Sri Lanka. Special emphasis was given to the plant species found in the adjoining Bambaragala forest reserve. By the end of 2007, the nursery was emptied of the 7000 plants collected in the previous years through inter planting in the field. At the moment the plant nursery consists of more than 2000 woody species. The nursery is used not only for the forest restoration work at the project site, but also to supply visitor needs.
Introduction of native woody species
The growth of woody plant saplings already found at the site is facilitated by regular clearing of surrounding weeds. Other plants from the nursery are re-introduced in a scientific manner, considering the geographical and edaphic conditions of the landscape. Our goal is to have a 40,000 indigenous species in our forest within 10 years including trees, plants, shrubs, lianas etc. With the introduction of over 7000 indigenous species at the moment, we are well on the way towards achieving our goal, mainly because the seed fall from the Bambaragala reserve has been playing an extremely supportive role.
Permanent plant plots
To facilitate the scientific monitoring of the regeneration process, 14 permanent plots are maintained in the field based on 7 different land use patterns (examples: riverine forest, regenerating forest, marshy lands, agricultural land etc.).
The growth of plants is measured using different parameters (example: DBH, height etc.).
In addition, the status of the plant regeneration and of bio-diversity is monitored on a continuous basis, through opportunistic as well as systematic ecological surveys by visiting researchers and trained staff of the arboretum.
Management of invasive species
The invasive alien plant species as Lantana camara which is locally known as Ganda-pana and Hairy clidemia locally known as Kata kalu bovitia ( Clidemia hirta) etc. found within the premises are managed, in order to avoid detrimental impacts on native bio-diversity. Priority is given to remove the invasive alien Wormia suffruticosa (Diyapara) since this species suppresses the growth of native vegetation.
The project site also serves as an exceptional resource centre to promote healthy lifestyles and environmental education and awareness among the general public with proper evaluation mechanisms.Visitors to the site can on request enjoy a multi-media presentation on the concept of holistic health and understand why conservation is only a small element of the wider concept of health promotion. This programme is participatory and interactive extending to a period of two hours. It is most often welcome during the rainy spells when outdoor activities become difficult.
School Programs
With the support of the HSBC we are now able to bring in students from the schools of the Sabaragamuwa Province to experience the regenerating forest and also understand the meaning of holistic health. Ten students, preferably 1st year advanced level science students and two teachers form a single group and participate in a scheduled program of learning. 24 school groups would have visited by the end of 2008. The school program not only includes indoor presentations and discussions but also field investigations including laboratory observations. During the school programs special emphasis is given to topics such as,
The bio-diversity of Sri Lanka in relation to rain forests
Global warming and climate change.
Hopefully these interactive interventions will minimize the trend for deforestation and improve awareness and education levels of school children in the province.
Establishment of the youth society for conservation
Since the inception of this project we have focused attention on the youth sector by initiating reforestation and conservation programs with the local school-the Hindurangala Government School. Additionally, all students who visit the site are enlisted as members of the Youth Society for Conservation of Tropical Rain Forests. This process will be continued with the 24 schools of the Sabaragamuwa Province and by April 2009 the Sabaragamuwa Youth Society is expected to be established as an independent conservation society.
These young people are being stimulated to form the backbone of an ongoing conservation activity. They take back to their own homes a message of conservation while engaging in some of the practices they have been introduced to while on location. The society will thereafter meet annually to review their interventions and progress.
Empowerment of a local group of women through eco-friendly income generation is another intervention initiated by this project.
We have enlisted a group of 15 women from the village and introduced them to the manufacture of several items from re-cycled paper and other natural products easily available locally. They are now able to make shopping bags from old newspapers and a variety of greeting cards from re-cycled paper, to suit any occasion. Additionally they are producing handmade paper for gift wrapping. The project has thus far purchased all the items they have produced if they were able to meet the standards of quality control. At the moment we have moved on to a micro-finance credit scheme with the help of the HSBC and are also exploring the possibility of new marketing channels such as village fairs, annual sales etc. In this way the women will have at least a small income of their own and also introduce the concept of holistic health to their families. If all goes schedule the group should have a membership of 50 women by the end of 2008. A continuous evaluation procedure is applied for this programme too.
In February 2010 the Womens Group set themselves up as a Cooperative Society and they now function as an independent commercial unit providing themselves with an added income. The EFT and the HSBC continue to support them by identifying markets for their produce (www.cocoshel.biz).
Awareness programs for visitors
A knowledge on the factors identified for the mitigation of global warming and climatic change is discussed in detail along with the bio-diversity of Sri Lanka (including diversity of rain forests). The main purpose of this activity is to promote conservation practices not only in school children but also in the visitors who come to Mahausakande.
Every operation has an ecological footprint with an introduction to the concept of holistic health.
Environmental education materials
Awareness brochures on the site and its ecological value can be readily taken from the site office. The preparation of the detailed biodiversity guide is ongoing to promote awareness about the bio-diversity in Mahausakande Estate.
A wide variety of plants have been introduced in an area of approximately 2 hectares of land around the administrative complex and the Manager’s living quarters. Fruit trees that are indigenous to the wet-zone of Sri Lanka; varieties of spices including a small cinnamon patch and a Reed Patch which will supply the reeds for the hand-craft work of the Women’s Society. We are also developing a collection of rare plants so that students get a chance of learning how to recognize them. These are plants that most people have only heard of but never seen.
In addition the project is making use of the many Kitul Palms (Caryota urens) on the site to make treacle from the sap of the palm thus encouraging the locals to also engage in this income generating activity as there is a high demand for the product.
