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| Sunday, 29 August 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Restyling old lifestyles He trudges, eyes glistening with tears; gaunt; a pod of yellow mucus suspended precariously between his nose and mouth. A little boy behind a lone woman balancing a plastic water can on her head and another in her hand. A raucous wind raises clouds of dust. The road stretches on...
Life is a struggle in Diyakepilla, Thalkote and Pidurangala, though vested in the shadow of the second highest visited cultural 'shrine' of Sri Lanka, which is estimated to be visited by about 70,000 locals and 5,000 foreigners every month. With only the maas vesi (South Western monsoons) bringing in a substantial amount of rain, collected in numerous tanks and used throughout the year through. Water is a precious commodity here for man and animal alike. Nevertheless, come the month of July, the fields glitter with golden paddy heads and green onion shoots. The crop of arduous months of labour and the utilisation of an ancient, but well planned irrigation system. The women labour in their chenas adjacent to homesteads. Until recently their men used to be away for months on end. Hidden in the belly of the forest, cultivating illegal chenas. "We observed their lifestyle. Then, I spoke with both groups, men and women, separately, asking how they liked to be with their families, and to have their men at home the year round," says a researcher, publicity shy and not wanting to identify himself. "They had not thought about it before. That was our opportunity. We promised to get permission from authorities for chenas closer home if they stopped shifting cultivation, deep in the forest. They complied and now have chenas within or close to the village." Yes, their life patterns are changing. Ever so slowly. For the better, though amidst a gamut of problems such as lack of transport, electricity and never ending human-elephant conflict, thanks to the Centre for Eco-cultural Studies (CES), supported by UNDP's (United Nations Development Programme) Small Grants Programme through the Global Environment Facility (GEF/SGP). A UNDP conducted media visit in Sigiriya and surrounding villages revealed the restyling in the lives of those participants involved. "They had many problems-the breakdown of traditional cultivation, decreasing of the rainy season and the augmenting of the dry spell, encroachments, unsustainable use of forest resources and so on. It was a conflict of interest - forest conservation against food security," says a researcher. That is when CES had come forward, propelling them towards alternative sources of income. First to be exploited was their affinity to the Sigiriya Rock Citadel and the income gained through tour guiding. "The system was not at all organised. They used to rush in as and when tourists come. Though some earned good money, sometimes as much as Rs. 7,000 to 8,000 per day, that was spent in about two weeks with an 'easy come easy go' attitude," says the researcher. Formal training, which seemed essential was sought from the Tourist Board. "Now, 35 of us possess licence as tour guides. Though there are over 100 working here, with the licence we have more recognition," says Asanka Premathilake. He started his career at 16, helping the elderly tourist on the climb. "Once the drivers and guides from Colombo got to know us, they entrusted the tourists to us. It was rather difficult until then." Now, 13 years later, Premathilake is a happy man. "With the training we gained a lot of knowledge, not only about the cultural heritage, but about the environmental value as well. We can name the birds, butterflies, mammals, trees, wines and so on, and the income is 100 per cent better." Licence holders then formed an association for themselves, the 'Sigiriya Eco-cultural Tour Guides Association' (SETGA) and a welfare association for the majority. "SETGA decided to help in all community concerns. We help create the savings habit in school children. Over 200 students at the Sigiriya Central College and about 70 children in Thalkote school opened accounts through the association," says Premathilake who is also the current President of SETGA. G. Jayaratne, working at Sigiriya for the past 18 years and R.A. Nishan Sumith Ranawaka working for the past seven years have similar stories. With more knowledge the work is less and the money is more, they say. "Earlier we had to climb the rock face three to four times to fend for our daily needs, but now climbing about two times is enough," says Jayaratne. His colleague, Ranawaka says "the daily income is two to three times more." In an effort to expand his knowledge Ranawaka also follows classes in German and English languages. O.W. Ranasinghe, with an area licence is allowed to guide tourists not only in Sigiriya, but in Kekirawa and Ritigala areas as well. Nine years on the job, he speaks more on their difficulties. "Water for cultivation, elephant attacks, electricity and transport are the main needs of the community," says Ranasinghe. "The Association (SETGA) helps in as much as it can. We reconstructed the electric fence at Diyakepilla and Rs. 1,000 is given for the families who suffer from elephant attacks." Jointly with the CES team SETGA also conducts hiking, caving, village tours, visits to historic shrines and temples and wildlife safaris coordinated through their Tourist Information Centre at Sigiriya. The centre also holds a variety of tourist information brochures and maps. On sale there are environment friendly souvenirs, some of which the works of participants themselves, who are employed in producing rush and reed products. Chandrika Menike, is one such rush and reed producer, trained by SETGA. She conducted seminars and workshops for others interested in rush and reed products. With five years of experience in the industry, Menike now has her own stall at the Sigiriya Handicraft Village, managed by the government. The income at her new setting is "better than it was before," says Menike. After paying Rs. 1,000/- for the rent, she gets about Rs. 6,000 to 7,000 per month. "The income is enough since I do not employ helpers. A few of those who received the rush and reed product training supply goods for my stall as well." Bee-keeping and the development of other marketable traditional 'green products, such as natural oils, seeds and grains are also encouraged as alternative income sources, along with the enrichment of home gardens. "Home gardens are modelled for more economic benefit. It was carried out after a study of existing features, to stop drifting cultivation and entering into the forest to supply their needs," say the researchers. A variety of species have been introduced to the home gardens of Diyakepilla, Thalkote and Pidurangala, including those of timber, food and medicinal value. Besides these projects CES team carries out eco-cultural research under the disciplines of cultural anthropology, ecology and botany for the protection and maintenance of ecosystems and natural habitats and maintenance of viable populations. (VSF) |
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