|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 6 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Terraced farming prevents landslides by Vimukthi Fernando T. Karunawathie runs. Carrying her young son she follows the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, A.H.M. Fowzie, along with fellow villagers, homestead to homestead, plot to plot. Running, walking or climbing the steep hills, is not new to her, for she lives in the remote village of Nelugaha in the central hills, about six miles away from the main road. One of the 16 areas prone to landslides, marked by the Upper Watershed Management Project (UWMP). Last week, Nelugaha villagers welcomed the Minister who was on an inspection tour of landslide prone areas in the central hills, that are under the aegis of the UWMP. The threat of landslides looms large in the central hills. It is stippled with old landslides dating back to hundreds and thousands of years, says Professor Kapila Dahanayake of the University of Peradeniya. Forty per cent of the highlands is landslide prone terrain, he says explaining that evacuation, the easiest solution, is easier said than done. At Nelugaha, 18 families living in the high risk area are to be relocated at a nearby safe area, a tea estate. The challenge, however, is to 'live and let live' mitigating the threat, Prof. Dahanayake points out. The UWMP strives to face this challenge through soil and water conservation methods, proper land utilisation, best farming practices and environment friendly income generation methods in upper watershed areas. At Nelugaha villagers were encouraged to turn the bare slopes, where they previously planted vegetable crops exposing the earth to the elements and erosion, into terraced farmsteads. Stone hedges were erected. Perennial and grass strengthened structures. Manure and compost were used instead of chemical fertilizer. The result was "amazing," says D. M. Dharmadasa an elderly farmer. The harvest "...increased about threefold. What was 25 kilos earlier, jumped up to about 70 to 75," he goes on. "It was the first time we saw the potential of our land," T. Karunawathie agrees. The wonder and attraction of the project was the incentive for better management of their own farm plots and homesteads! "After every step we received money, which was used to improve land," says T. Weerasinghe. Alternate income generation was encouraged. Eighteen dairy cows were distributed. The cattle rearers were helped to improve their sheds. "Earlier the cattle grazed in the hills, but now, with this new kind of grass at the terraces we could provide fodder easily and use manure for fertilizer as well," Dharmadasa explains. The milk production has also increased. "Now we sell about 200 litres a day, whereas none were sold previously," Weerasinghe adds. Infrastructure was also strengthened by way of gullies for flow of excess water and improving the access road with culverts and drains. The situation is similar in all four villages - Hulang Kapolla, Malapola, Nelugaha and Dabbare. The project was cautious in expansion, explained D. P. Munaweera, Director UWMP. They were only able to utilize Rs. 40 million out of 80 in the first year. However, Rs. 100 M, 115 M and over 200 M direct assistance was distributed to farmers during 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively. The highest, Rs. 464 million is allocated for 2004, he said. The project is scheduled to phase off in 2006. The Minister, A. H. M. Fowzie expressed his satisfaction of the progress of UWMP. He pledged his support to expedite the project without fear or favour and said that the UWMP will not become a project which satisfies political aspirations of individuals but will be allowed to continue in the participatory manner it was implemented. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
