50% women participated in the planting and cultivation programmes and more women are involved in the actual production of the trade. Sales are more male dominated.
A common fund in the forma of a savings account has been opened over and above the annual member ship fee of the Kitul trader?s society and this helps individuals to buy their needs when required and provides financial security and impetus.
Project sustainability
Bringing the community together in participatory management (80% of the project activities being implemented by the community themselves) and linking them with the outside markets such as the tourism industry ? hotels has brought about capacity building while bringing in a steady income. Improving the standard and shelf life of the products through training and exposure to other institutions in the Kitul juggery and treacle making trade also adds to the sustainability of the trade as a viable and profitable livelihood. Emerging leaders take the community forward and will take this effort beyond the lifetime of the project.
The demarcation of boundaries of forest by planting crops that can be utilized by the community? Kitul and Ericanut with community participation prevents further degradation by encroachment and timber extraction while the buffer zone helps livelihoods of people who are now more aware of wise use of the forest owing to the awareness programs. The changing attitudes of government officials (FDs/ police ) considering them allies and not offenders has brought a bout sharp decline in forest related crimes indicating increasing respect for the forest and its resources.
Notable Community Participation
Community participation was the main ingredient as planning the planting schedules, the plants to be grown both in the forest and home gardens, how to conserve the forest area and the needs for upgrading the existing industry all came out of discussion with the people themselves. Participatory management was the key to the success with the organization officers being there for guidance, support and encouragement.
Planning non gef grant
Looking for other grants to develop markets and extend the program to more beneficiaries.
Policy Influence
Poverty Alleviation environment sustainability are the MDGSs followed by this project while it is line with Environment Ministry policies.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Sustainable livelihoods were emphasized through awareness raising programs as well as
Providing alternative options for change in livelihood from being harmful to the environment to being more eco-friendly. The sustainability of the livelihoods themselves was emphasized owing to improving market situations.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The Ktul and juggery making industry is indigenous to this area the juggery they produce being a special shape/ form and taste that is sought by people from outside.
Policy Impact
The policies published by UNDP and Environmental Ministry of Sri Lanka is thoroughly followed up by this project .The MDG goals are to be achieved through out the project .Specially MDG such as poverty alleviation,maternal health ,environmental sustainability is highly targeted by this programme .
Capacity - Building Component
The project design and the participatory aspect at all times allowed leaders to emerge and capacity building was a natural result of the program.
Replication of project activities
There is a demand by members who did not participate to give them similar assistance and close neighboring village who are customers at the sales outlets are curious about the success of the project.
Planning gef grant
They have done two similar projects with GEF grants and have gained much experience and also linked beneficiaries of the first project (bamboo harvesters and craftsmen) with the second. They have gained experience and expertise in motivating communities to uplift and extend the margins of the existing trade. If a medium sized GEF grant is approved they would link the trade directly to the foreign markets with direct export mechanisms in place. Already discussions have taken place with the Export Development Board and the Handicraft Development Board on how this should be done.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Youth Service Magazine for national circulation , The Observer children?s? pg . carried articles about this initiative. Lanka nature Forum Website has details of this project www.slnf.org
Project Results
1. Raising income through linking to local and foreign markets (tourist industry in the south) and introducing cost-benefiting methods of manufacture of Kitul products. There was a 60% increase in income (Rs.20.000/- per month).
2. 2.Uplifting the standard of Kitul products to nationally accepted levels with assistance from the Ratnapura treacle making society.
3. Strengthening the social structure of the village and also linking with other traders.
4. Entrepreneurship training skills development.
5. Development of Home gardens and improving health and sanitary facilities.
6. Improving the understanding of finances - maintaining bank accounts, revolving fund management & micro credit.
7. Poverty alleviation
8. A drastic drop in forest related crimes in statistics maintained by Forest officers.
9. Changing to use renewable energy for Kitul product manufacture
10. Establishing closer ties with government and private sector officials ? forest officers and other local authorities.
Preventing encroachment of forest and enhancing its quality and biodiversity
