Environment project to benefit over 2,000 families

Over 2,000 families from the Polonnaruwa and Vavuniya districts will benefit from the recently launched European Union-funded project implemented by Rainforest Rescue International together with Oxfam Italy that aims to strengthen agricultural activities and respond to climate change.

This three-year project commencing this month will enhance climate responsive actions such as resilient dry-land farming, water resource management and integrated farming and focus on developing local market access at village level, will also work with local authorities to restore local forest resources and water catchments in the area.

This initiative further aims at assisting local farmers to respond to climate change and other environmental threats that ultimately affect local community health, income generation opportunities and nutritional security.

In recent years the North Central, Central and Eastern Provinces in particular have been impacted by natural disasters and unusual weather patterns.

This has led to considerable losses for local farming communities notably during the first quarter of 2011 as a result of the incessant rains and flooding. Official figures estimate that the economic impact of the flood is over Rs.50 billion while more than 300,000 persons were rendered homeless.