Project Detail

Conserving the Ratna Ella Conservation Forest and Developing Eco-Tourism Activities for Community Livelihoods

Rathna Ella sanctuary is an important forest area having an extent of 345 hectares. Rathna Ella falls & Kaluwa Watuna Ella Falls, which are popular tourist destinations are located in the Rathna Ella village. The increasing tourist activity in the area are disturbing the natural environment and the Rathna Ella sanctuary is polluted by the disposal of polythene and other waste by the visitors. Currently there is no proper mechanism to minimize the pollution and to formalize the ecotourism activities.

The communities have used to agricultural practices with heavy chemical usage which is a threat to the sensitive eco systems and water sources of the area. Proper waste management mechanism is not available causing the pollution of water bodies and sensitive eco systems.

The following are the main outputs of this project:

? Eco tourism improved around Rathna Ella falls and Kaluwa Watuna Ella falls by strengthening the community in Rathna Ella village
? Monthly income of 30 families raised by Rs.5000.00 by formalizing eco-tourism
? A proper waste management system is operational
? Damage to the Rathna Ella sanctuary due to heavy pesticide usage reduced by 60%

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

National Ethnic Unity Foundation

Country:

Sri lanka

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP6 - Y3 (Jul17 - Jun 18)

Grant Amount:

US$ 40,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 1,862.79

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 7,868.70

Project Number:

SRL/SGP/OP6/STAR/BD/2017/06

Start Date:

4/2018

End Date:

9/2020

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

A website will be developed to disseminate information about the eco-tourism venture, the project site i.e. the water fall, and the facilities provided at the site. Information on the project?s achievements will be disseminated through electronic and print media such as Face Book, Twitter and public newspapers. It is expected to collect feedback from visiting tourists and publish them in the social media as well as in the print media on a regular basis.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

All project activities will be undertaken using local idioms so that better understanding is promoted. Video clips/documentary will have voice cuts in the local language or sub-titles for clarity.

Notable Community Participation

As the project is an ecotourism venture, it is very much attractive to youth and many are keen in getting involved. The project is being implemented in collaboration with an existing CBO at Rathna Ella village, which will be transformed into a village level Eco-Tourism Community Society for the sustainable management of the project. This would, it is expected, involve minimum of 40% youth in the community society as members.

Gender Focus

It is envisaged to have a minimum of 70% women?s participation in the project activities. Women will be elected as office bearers to hold three key positions. It is also proposed to organize women?s groups in the village to surface issues, problems faced by them and suggestions of solving issues through activities implemented under the programme. It is also envisaged to provide training to women in hospitality & catering, related to the home-stay initiative promoted under the project.

Policy Impact

One key initiative of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) in promoting ecotourism is to conserve the environment, maintain the quality of the visitor experience, and provide benefits for local communities. Some studies however show that there is lack of understanding about rules, regulations, policies regarding ecotourism among many ecotourism operators. The majority of operators in the country seem to practice more of nature-based operations, whilst others have a combination of nature and adventure-based tourism, but not ecotourism. The project expects to lobby policy makers to adhere to ecotourism guidelines set by the International Ecotourism Society (IES). The project also expects to demand the policy makers to pay more attention to provide benefits for local communities so that their income can be enhanced through ecotourism.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The main objective of the project is promotion of eco-tourism around the Ratna Ella water fall. Many alternative livelihood opportunities will be generated with the improvement of ecotourism, such as promotion of traditional local foods, value added agricultural products i.e. chutneys, pickles, sauces and candy, spice powder, banana chips and yogurt that can be easily marketed at the site. In addition, promotion of traditional local yam varieties (edible roots and tuber varieties commonly known as yams), green leaves such as Moringa and other herbs, promotion of Batik, Reed and pottery crafts will enhance the income opportunities of the local communities with minimum harm to the fragile ecosystem.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project expects to provide information through the website and at the information stall about products and services offered to visitors in the ecotourism venture. Therefore, the knowledge product that will result from the project would be a viable, eco-friendly, community centered ecotourism venture and an updated information flow to customers through both electronic and print media.

Capacity - Building Component

The project will facilitate capacity building of youth in small scale business management including hospitality industry, first aid provisions at a daily level and promoting home stays for visiting tourists. The project will provide training and capacity building of farmers in organic fertilizer, including liquid fertilizer and training in organic pest control methods. The project will also take steps to enhance the capacity of youth especially in local industries such as Batik, Reed and Pottery making. Moreover, the project expects to build capacities of the Rural CBO and promote as a village level Eco-tourism Community Society with management capacity.

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