The
Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) funded by the World Bank
conducted a workshop at Jade Green Hotel in Hambantota yesterday (14th) to
introduce an Agro-Ecological Landscape Resilience Plan in Hambantota to
stakeholders in the area. The
plan was designed after a pilot study in the Hambanthota District, to
specifically look at the landscape defined in the Hotspot Area (HSA) of
Bandagiriya, Weerawila and Yodakandiya ASC under CSIAP, to understand its
ecological character, both in production and non-production habitats, current
issues and challenges and seek opportunities to bring in greater environmental
and social resilience through appropriate integration of sustainable
agroecological practices within the HAS. Objectives
and Scope of the Plan
- To
assess the current land use pattern and status of the Hambantota
District HSA and assess current/future demands that are shaping the use of
land/natural resources within it.
- To
review the ecological character of the Hambantota District HSA, and map
existing forest patches, corridors and other important ecosystems within it
including food production areas.
- Identify
issues, threats and drivers of change that have and will continue to shape the
ecological character and balance within the landscape. The focus here should be
centred mainly on ecosystems within and adjacent to the HSA landscape that
supports the food production ecosystems.
- To
determine critical ecological networks within the HSA landscape and the
economic value of key ecosystem services, especially focusing on benefits to
food production ecosystems.
- To
study the extent of the HEC over the last 10 years, with a particular emphasis
on HEC levels (number and intensity) that exist in the landscape today and how
it will increase and intensify with agricultural expansion and productivity
improvement that is planned under the HSAAD (Hotspot Area Agriculture Development) plan. Mapping of the potential movement
paths of elephants in particular (normally an elephant is assessed to move
2800sq Km a year). This is essential to suggest mitigation measures due to HEC (Humen Elephant Conflict).
- To
understand the social impacts of the HEC on community living and livelihoods
including impacts on vulnerable groups.
- To
identify key stakeholder groups in the HSA landscape, assess their level of
interest and influence on its future land use and identify means of engaging them
for fostering greater harmony between conservation and production land-use
practices – to improve the climate resilience of the HSA landscape. The
involvement of local communities in a participatory approach will be very
useful
- To
identify appropriate landscape-level management strategies that will promote integrated
management of agricultural areas and the natural resources that underpin
ecosystem services that are essential for food production and buffer against
climate risks.
Dr.
Janaka Jayawardena, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist of the
CSIAP briefed participants on the
objectives of the workshop. Mr. H.M.P. Bandara, Deputy Project Director, CSIAP
and Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant, World Bank also expressed their views too. Senior
government officials representing various institutions attended the workshop. the Agro-Ecological Landscape Resilience Plan in Hambanthota was developed by Teams Consultants.
Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2023-03-15
