As mentioned earlier the project mainly focuses on the younger generation, but will be focusing on both female and male participation as much as possible within the social frame that exists in the area. There will be six permanent positions available and there?s a great opportunity for both sexes to fill these vacancies with their abilities and enthusiasm.
In organic farming practices we will use the traditional knowledge of indigenous people who live in these areas.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Surya Thapa Surakum Eksath Sanvidanaya (United Society for the Harnessing Solar Power) has recognized eco friendly farming systems, minimizes the adverse impact on sensitive habitats through the eco-agriculture and nature based tourism activities. Special attention would be given to design a tailor made small scale awareness program to attract younger generation of the society towards the conservation as they are the guardians of the natural resources. With the proper training programs directed towards the young adults, there will be a greater opportunity to motivate them towards the environmental conservation as well as sustainable use of the natural resources.
Policy Impact
The policies that have been adapted by the environmental authorities of the governing bodies from the central government to the local authorities will have a detrimental effect on the sustainability and the long term survivability of the project. Fortunately, due to the huge awareness of the global calamities through mass media avenues everyone from the city to the rural villager has an understanding in the importance of protecting nature and sustainable eco friendly development. This has created a suitable atmosphere to the governing bodies in all spheres of the country to embrace and appreciate the kind of policies that enhances the nature protection and focus more on the sustainable development enabling these projects to be implemented with added vigor.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The sustainability of the project hinges on several factors such as the successful implementation of the project objectives, the benefits that will be deriving from the project activities and the awareness that these benefits could only be achieved through the protection of biodiversity. Turning a nearly a forty year old conflict between the human and the elephant in to a beneficial and profitable partnership will sure to ensure the longevity of these outcomes. The introduction of eco tourism will be mainly target the observation of elephants and it?s activities in it?s natural surrounding. Bird watching, nature and historical site walks or experience rural life style by joining in activities conducted by villages for their livelihood such as farming or animal husbandry will be offered to the visitors in this project.
Creation of a market for organic produces, increased usage of renewable energy, and savings through them will eventually elevate the living conditions of the villagers through environmental friendly activities. Increase business opportunities such as eco-tourism, bio pesticides and insecticides production are some of the few benefits that would ensure the sustainability of the project. The increase of additional income will help them to drive this program by the community members. They would be able to generate an additional income or could find a new income for the family by make use of untapped labour such as women of the households by producing handicrafts or souvenirs using local materials.
Notable Community Participation
This project was based upon the problems that have discussed in a community forum. Community inputs and their concerns are the key elements of this project. They have come to an agreement of the project activities and they have assured their participation throughout the project implementation. The community will be carrying out the implementations that are necessary to achieve these targets and goals during the projected period. Responsibilities and activities will totally be implemented by the community members collectively. They also will share the benefits of this project equally since they were involved from planning to the end of the project.
Capacity - Building Component
This project will also attract younger generation to create new career avenues in nature based tourism and eco agriculture and will be a factor in the sustainability of the project. Young, energetic tour guides will be in demand and these youngsters will get an extra benefit with the training and exposure that they will get by associating with different types of visitors adults.
There will be employment provided to six people from six different families as the Manager, Chef, House keeper and three tour guides. These personals will be given a proper training in regards to there profession as well as training in different languages. These training will be aiming at improving not only their professional career standards but their social standards as well
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Through the society, would like to test a Bata credit system to the villagers in order to exchange their goods and services effectively within the community. In this way we could help the villagers to maximize the savings of the actual money in a financial institute which in turn would provide them with higher accumulated interest rates or greater opportunity for loans from these institutes. This will ensure the participation of every body in the village in providing some kind of a good or service to the society and will eventually increase the productivity of the people in the area and the wealth of them.
Project Results
Completed to study the work done to mitigate the Human elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka and access the succeesses and failures of these programmes and recommend a best practice or practices for the solution of the Human elephant conflict