Analysis of the current management issues of Dawatagolla Forest Plantation to make recommendations towards multiple-use forestry
by
Fareena Rusaik and Upul Subasinghe
by
Fareena Rusaik and Upul Subasinghe
Since 1940, the historical perspective of forest management shows that the management of forests was carried out with the prime objective of obtaining timber. With the increasing demand for timber, forest plantations help to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Therefore the policy makers in Sri Lanka concentrated to involve rural community through social forestry including fast growing tree species. After 1995, the concept of multiple-use forestry became the centre point of forest management.
It was decided to select the Dewatagolla Forest Plantation (DFP) as the study area. It is situated in Alawwa in Kurunegala District and the extent is 30 ha. It contains of mainly jak and mahogany which are divided into jak working circle (JWC) and timber working circle (TWC).
This study was designed with the objectives of identification of the current management issues in the DFP, analysing the present management plan to test the compatibility and provision of suggestions and recommendations through the multiple-use forest management strategies towards the sustainability.
Data were collected by measurements, questionnaire survey, formal and informal interviews and discussions with the villagers and relavent officers.
Results obtained from the survey indicated the necessity of an appropriate multiple-use forest management practices towards the sustainability. Measurements revealed that the 96% of trees to be removed to implement such management pactices. Therefore a constant approach should be made and selective system of timber management was recommended. Several indigenous and exotic tree species provide multipl benefits to the surrounding community were found through the observations. Furthermore, the willingness of the villagers were also identified for the utlisation of the forest in multiple ways.
It was decided to select the Dewatagolla Forest Plantation (DFP) as the study area. It is situated in Alawwa in Kurunegala District and the extent is 30 ha. It contains of mainly jak and mahogany which are divided into jak working circle (JWC) and timber working circle (TWC).
This study was designed with the objectives of identification of the current management issues in the DFP, analysing the present management plan to test the compatibility and provision of suggestions and recommendations through the multiple-use forest management strategies towards the sustainability.
Data were collected by measurements, questionnaire survey, formal and informal interviews and discussions with the villagers and relavent officers.
Results obtained from the survey indicated the necessity of an appropriate multiple-use forest management practices towards the sustainability. Measurements revealed that the 96% of trees to be removed to implement such management pactices. Therefore a constant approach should be made and selective system of timber management was recommended. Several indigenous and exotic tree species provide multipl benefits to the surrounding community were found through the observations. Furthermore, the willingness of the villagers were also identified for the utlisation of the forest in multiple ways.
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