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.
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