Bio-diversity

The Masmulla Forest Reserve is located in the Matara District. This is a moist rainforest containing significant levels of biodiversity. However, due to timber felling, the forest cover has gone down creating barren lands and drying up water streams. Therefore, this project by the Wanasarana Thurulatha Swechcha Society intends to conserve the biodiversity of Masmulla through participatory management strategies assisted by the adjoining village population and relevant authorities. The majority of people living in the nearby villages belong to a under-privileged cast. The main way they generate income is through the kuluwatti industry, depending mainly from the forest. Their main occupation is traditional basket weaving out of bata and inipette harvested from the forest. Though they have been using raw materials from the forest for generations, the quality of raw materials in the forest has diminished. Therefore the villagers are forced to cross to neighboring forests, illegally harvesting raw materials. The project will also focus on empowering these villagers, training them on alternative livelihoods in a manner that also respects the environment. To this end, the project will supply raw materials to the beneficiares and seed money will be provided to the craftsmen so that they supply bata to the rest of the beneficiaries at a nominal price.

Sri lanka