Workshop on Small-holder Timber Production Forest Framework in Sri Lanka by Ariyadasa Kalutantri Conservator of Forests

Forest Policy and Small-holder Timber Production National Forest Policy Forest Resources Non Forest Tree Resources The Role of Home Gardens

Population Increase and the Forest Cover

Reduction of Forest Cover in Sri LankaForest Cover

Forest Types

Forest Policy and Restoration Strategy Time Period PolicyRestoration Strategy 1900Reclaim the chena cultivation areas “Taungya” reforestation program mainly in the Dry and Intermediate zones 1938Planting Patna landsPinus and Eucalyptus were introduced in the up country patna lands 1953Emphasis on timber and fuelwood production Planting of dry and wet patna with P. caribaea, E.grandis, and E.microcoris with some mechanical site preparation 1980Donor funded projects. USAID Watershed Management Project Large scale planting of fuelwood in the dry zone and Pinus in the up country catchment areas 1980Social Forestry Initiatives CFP project and PFP project Current Forest PolicyCommunity based tree planting and private sector involvement in forest plantation development

National Forest Policy To conserve forests for posterity with particular regard to biodiversity, soils, water, and historical, cultural, religious, and aesthetic values To increase the tree cover and productivity of the forests to meet the needs of present and future generations for forest products and services To enhance the contribution of forestry to the welfare of the rural population, and strengthen the national economy, with special attention paid to equity in economic development

Policy on Management of State Forest Resources All state forest resources will be brought under sustainable management both in terms of the continued existence of important eco-systems and the flow of forest products and services The traditional rights, cultural values, and religious beliefs of people living within or adjacent to forest areas will be recognized and respected The natural forests will be allocated firstly for conservation, and secondly for regulated multiple use production forestry For the management and protection of the natural forests forest plantations the state will where appropriate form partnership with local people, rural communities, and other stakeholders and introduce appropriate tenurial arrangements

Policy on Management of State Forest Resources The establishment and management of industrial forest plantations on the state lands will be entrusted progressively to local people, rural communities, industries, and other private bodies in pace with institutionalizing effective environment safeguards Degraded forest lands will be rehabilitated as forest for conservation and multiple use production, where it is economically and technically feasible, mainly for the benefit of local people Planned conversion in forest to other land uses can take place only in accordance with procedures defined in legislation and with accepted conservation and scientific norms

Policy on Management of Private Forest and Tree Resources Trees growing on homesteads, and other agroforestry, will be promoted as a main strategy to supply wood and other forest products for meeting household and market needs The establishment, management, and harvesting of industrial forest plantations by local people, communities, industries, and others in the private sector will be promoted The state will promote tree growing by local people, rural communities, NGOs and other non-state sector bodies for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas

Policy on Wood and Non-Wood forest products, Industries and Marketing Greater responsibility will be given to local people, organized groups, cooperatives, industries, and other private bodies in commercial forest production, industrial manufacturing, and marketing. Efficient forest products utilization, development of competitive forest industries based on sustainable wood sources, and manufacture of value added forest products will be promoted. The state will facilitate the harvesting and transport of forest products grown on private lands Effective measures to protect forests and illegal trade in wood, non-wood forest products and endangered species of flora and fauna will be instituted.

National Forest Policy Forestry Sector Master Plan Short Term Strategies Medium Term Strategies Long Term Strategies Five Year Implementation Program (FYIP) The Process

Sources of Timber Supply

Agro-forestry Systems in Sri Lanka Farm-based Agro-forestry  Traditional Home Gardens  Kandyan Forest Gardens  Spice Gardens  Trees in Agriculture Fields (Tea, Coffee, Cocoa)  Intercropping with commercial trees (coconut, rubber)  Trees around agricultural fields

Agro-forestry Systems in Sri Lanka Forest Based Agro-forestry  Traditional shifting cultivation (chena)  Cooperative Reforestation Program  Farmers woodlots

Home Gardens - GeneralGeneral Best developed agro-forestry system in Sri Lanka It is essentially a mixed cropping with a variety of tree species that provide food, fruit, timber, medicine, and spices Home gardens are wide-spread and vary in species composition and tree density There are about 858,000 ha. of home gardens (13% of the land area)

Distribution of Home Gardens

Home Gardens- Species Composition More than 400 different tree species found in home gardens Some species are planted while other are naturally regenerated Home garden species can be broadly categorized in to Food, Food & Timber, and Timber species. Medicinal and spice trees are also found Five commercially grown exotic timber species (Teak, Mahogany, Alstonia, Albizzia, and Eucalyptus) are among the top ten species in order of frequency of occurrence There are about 30 different medicinal tree species in the home gardens

Most Common Home Garden Tree Species

Home Gardens- Species Density The average tree density in home gardens is about 200 trees per hectare In the wet zone tree density exceeds 260 trees per hectare while in the dry zone tree density is around 125 trees per hectare Almost all the tree species have more small diameter trees compared to large diameter trees that shows the sustainable nature of the system

Tree Density in Home Gardens DISTRICTLand Area (ha)Area ofHome GardensTotal NumberTrees/ha Home Gardens(ha)as a % of districtof Trees Ampara Anuradhapura Badulla Batticaloa Colombo Galle+Matara Gampaha Hambantota Kalutara Kandy Kegalle Kurunegula Matale Moneragala Nuwara Eliya Polonnaruwa Puttalam Ratnapura Trincomalee TOTAL

Girth Class Distribution of Species

Home Garden – Timber Production Potential One hectare of home garden will produce 0.95 m 3 of sawlogs and 0.5 m 3 of poles per year Five exotic tree species found in home gardens (Mahogany, Alstonia, Teak, Eucalyptus, and Albizzia) account for 30% of the total timber production Jak and Rubber are the main timber producers each contributing 17% to the total production

Most Valuable Timber Species in Home Gardens

Timber Production Potential of Home Garden Species

What improvements can be made Provide better quality planting materials especially in case of commercial species Some sort of mechanism to certify the timber produced in home gardens