95 percent of this villagers are engaging in agriculture while very minor number in government of other employment. It is 2- 3 people.
Many alternative livelihoods will generate after completing the project. Self-employment for women, bee keeping, home gardening and collecting and processing of forest matters that would be sell.
Knowledge on traditional or modern practices to adapt CC impacts, Knowledge of mitigating actions, Knowledge on current program, plans and policies at country level and understanding on international framework, policies and practices.
Policy Impact
N/A
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Participatory community development methods, tools and techniques will be used (PRA/RRA/Participatory planning/review and monitoring). Community based awareness programs, trainings, etc. The project established a CBO in this village and encourages youth to participate in project activities. The project also established a Rice mill as an alternative income generating activities would be created more spaces for youths.
Gender Focus
Project activities highly consider about the gender equality. Women actively participates in the protection and conservation of the Kiwulwatta village at Bakmetiyawa- Thimbirigolla Reserve. Art from that there is a special activity to introduce self- employment opportunities for 5 women?s groups.
Project sustainability
The CBO established under the project is financially strong as it is generating income through providing micro credit and the income received from the grinding mill will help in sustaining the activities in the future.
Notable Community Participation
The Youth community actively participates in the protection and conservation of the Kiwulwatta village at Bakmetiyawa- Thimbirigolla Reserve.
They will actively participate in the project activities such as constructing the rice mill, establish a live fence of 5km along the border of Bakmitiyawa reserve etc.
Project Results
1.The project was successfull in changing attitudes of the villagers and bringing them into a position of agreeing to protect the forest for their own benefits. Building mutual trust through participatory decision making and building close working relationships were instrumental in this.
2.The project was able to add 05 acres of cultivated lands back to the forest at the end of the project by converting them to agro forests.
Further the villagers have expressed their willingness to convert another 20 acres of cultivated land to agro forests.
3.Within a two-year period, the project was successful in initiating small businesses such as a grinding mill, a retail grocery shop to strengthen the financial capacity of the CBO and its members. Other income earning sources such as poultry management, sewing of garments for village members were introduced.
4.A micro credit programme was initiated to provide credit facilities to the members of the CBO to start small businesses and agriculture activities.
5.The increase in monthly income of fifteen beneficiary families by LKR. 15,000.00 (US$.98) through alternative livelihood activities convinced the villagers who were illegally using the reserve for cultivation purposes were to stop further encroachments and to enter into an agreement with the Forest Department to conserve the reserve by converting the existing cultivated forest lands in to agro forests. Under the agreement the villagers have approval to collect NTFPs from these agro forestry plots. The plots will help to gradually increase the forest cover as desired by CBR+.
6.Home agro forestry plots of 1/2 an acre hectares were established in 40 plots in the village. Several plant varieties such as mango, orange, coconut were distributed for the plots.
7.Drinking water supply of the villagers was assured during the dry season through the construction of an agro well to supply the water for agricultural purposes during the dry season to 04 families and 10 traditional water ponds were rehabilitated for use of individual families.
