Impact of Protection Regimes and Social-Ecological Resilience: A case study from Sri Lanka Saranya Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake Natural Resource Management, Governance and Globalisation Master Thesis 2005:12 2(91) Impact of Protection Regimes and Social-Ecological Resilience: A case study from Sri Lanka Saranya Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake Natural Recourse Management, Governance and Globalisation Master Thesis 2005:12 Supervisor: Henrik Ernstson Centre for Transdisciplinary Research on the Environment, CTM Stockholm University www.ctm.su.se 3(91) This thesis is written to fulfil the requirements of the Master Program Natural Resource Management, Governance, and Globalisation a transdisciplinary program held by the Centre for Transdisciplinary Environmental Research, CTM, Stockholm University. The one-year program has four course models and ends with the writing of a master thesis on a subject related to at least one of the course modules. 1. Philosophy of sustainability science Addresses the difficulties and opportunities in transdisciplinary environmental research. In lectures and seminars participants discuss methodological and epistemological issues such as explanations, causality, systems borders, and objectivity. Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology Course leaders: Agr.Dr Thomas Hahn and Dr. Annika Dahlberg 2. Natural Resource Management and Ecosystem Resilience Focuses on the ecosystem capacity to generate life-supporting services and how adaptive management can enhance this capacity and which constraints and opportunities are offered by globalisation. Department of Systems Ecology Course leader: Prof. Thomas Elmqvist 3. Ecosystem management: Collaboration in networks and organizations Investigates the social capacity to develop adaptive governance including arenas for collaboration and conflict resolution. Centre for Transdisciplinary Environmental Research Course leader: AgrDr. Thomas Hahn and Dr. Per Olsson 4. International governance of natural resource management Uses a macro-perspective on governance. The actors and social-ecological drivers of international regimes are analysed, using a few case studies that provide a historical and institutional context. Legal as well as normative perspectives are discussed. Department of Economic History Course leader: Dr. Elisabeth Corell More information on the program is available at http://www.ctm.su.se/ngg About The Centre for Transdisciplinary Environmental Research (CTM): CTM aims to catalyse environmental research and promote environmental education across the faculties. CTM is part of Stockholm University and complements the activities of the different academic departments. CTM is also in close cooperation with other Stockholm-based organisations and institutes conducting research in the environmental and sustainable development field. CTM turns science into knowledge by spreading information about natural resources and environmental issues. We also offer seminars and courses on the subject of environmental and sustainable development issues. Homepage: http://www.ctm.su.se 4(91) CONTENTS Acknowledgement Abbreviations Abstract 1. Introduction 1.1. Background of the study 1.2. Historical background of Sinharaja and the area surrounding it (including Kudawa) 1.3. Management Plan for Sinharaja – Phase I 1.4. Management Plan for Sinharaja – Phase II 1.5. Problem statement 1.5.1. Problem domain 1.6. Aim of the study 1.7. Research questions 2. Theoretical framework 3. Methodology 3.1. Methods 3.1.1. Literary surveys and review of policy documents and reports 3.1.2. Interviews and discussions 3.1.2.1.Interview process 3.1.2.2. Anonymity of interviewees 3.1.3. Reflection on previous experiences 3.2. Limitations 4. The study area 4.1. Buffer zone 4.2. Features of Sinharaja 4.3. Ecosystem services from Sinharaja 4.4. Kudawa village 4.5. Socio-economic aspects of Kudawa 4.6. Infrastructure facilities in Kudawa 4.7. Current situation 5. Results 5.1. Strengths and weaknesses of the Management Plan for Sinharaja – Phase I 5.1.1. Static view of the ecosystem 5.1.2. Inadequate coordination among state agencies 5.1.3. Stakeholder participation 5.1.4. Research 5.1.5. Impact on Kudawa 5.1.6. Demarcation of boundary: forest and buffer zone 5.1.7. Implications of land ownership 5(91) 5.1.8. Loss of local ecological knowledge (LEK) 5.1.9. National and international recognition 5.2. Strengths and weaknesses: Management Plan – Phase II 5.2.1. Demarcation of boundary: forest and buffer zone 5.2.2. Alternative livelihood and further loss of LEK 6. Analysis 6.1. Relationship between villagers and Researchers 6.2. Relationship between villagers and the Kudawa Forest Office 6.2.1. Disagreements 6.3. Relationship between Researchers and the Forest Department 6.4. Current village economy and its future 6.5. Current impasse in Kudawa 6.6. Socio-economic development in Kudawa 6.7. Increasing dependency on scientific knowledge over LEK 6.8. Erosion of LEK and monitoring of forest 6.9. Desire for permanent government employment 6.10. Implications due to tea plantations and demand for land 6.11. Recognition of traditional rights 6.12. Migration trends: into and out of Kudawa 6.13. Eco-tourism and responsibilities of Forest Department 6.14. Implications of the construction of a new road 6.15. Aspirations of Kudawa villagers 6.16. Leadership in the village 6.16.1. “Rise” and “fall” of a leader - Mr. Aruna 6.16.2. Emerging youth leadership - Mr. Channa 6.17. Towards a new horizon - social capital formation 7. Discussion 7.1. Pre-1971 scenario: traditional way of life 7.1.1. Background 7.1.2. Discussion 7.2. 1971: Commencement of logging results in a regime shift 7.2.1. Background 7.2.2. Discussion 7.3. 1972 – 1977: Gathering momentum 7.3.1. Background 7.3.2. Discussion 7.4. 1978: From exploitation to conservation 7.4.1. Background 7.4.2. Discussion 7.5. 1979 – 1987: The way forward – from conservation to sustainable use 7.5.1. Background 7.5.2. Discussion 7.6. 1988: Conservation vs. sustainable use – flaws in national policy 7.6.1. Background 7.6.2. Discussion 7.7. 1989 – 1998: towards institutionalization 7.7.1. Background 7.7.2. Discussion 7.8. 1998 onwards: What does the future hold? 6(91) 7.9. The impact of the current governance system on the social-ecological resilience of the study area 7.10. Concluding Discussion 8. Recommendations 9. Conclusion Bibliography Tables Table 1 – Chronology of events for Sinharaja and Kudawa Village Table 2 – Crucial events that left strong impact on the social-ecological resilience of the study area Table 3 – An outline of scales affecting the social-ecological system of the study area Table 4 – Structure of the Forest Department (coming down to the Kudawa Forest Office) Table 5 – Interview groups and number of persons interviewed in each group Table 6 – Number of interviewed persons at different social levels Table 7 – Temperature and relative humidity data available in Sinharaja and the buffer zone management of forests Table 8 – Moving flocks of birds and animals: a unique phenomenon in Sinharaja (source: De Zoysa & Raheem, 1993) Table 9 – Income and sources of income of villagers of Kudawa Table 10 – Key policies, legislations, institutional changes concerning the management of natural forests in Sri Lanka during the 20th century Table 11 – Sri Lanka’s obligations under international agreements relating to conservation and management of forests Figures Figure 1 – Detailed map of the study area and its surroundings (source: Sinharaja - Our Heritage, 2002) Figure 2 – Map of Sinharaja with the villages, main roads and trails and the study area marked (source: De Zoysa & Raheem, 1993) Figure 3 – Sketch map of roads leading to Sinharaja through Kudawa and main infrastructure Figure 4 – 1722 Dutch map of Sri Lanka (source: De Zoysa & Raheem, 1993) Figure 5 – Logged areas of Sinharaja (source: Gunatilleke & Gunatilleke, 2005) Figure 6 – Devolution of power – corresponding administrative and political structures Appendices Appendix 1 – Note on the historical background on the forests and forest polices of Sri Lanka during the modern times Appendix 2 – Guiding questionnaire for interviews Appendix 3 – Note on features of Sinharaja: location, extent, physical environment and biodiversity Pictures Picture 1 – Kudawa houses: then and now 7(91) Picture 2 – Kitul tapping and allied industries Picture 3 – Secondary vegetation in the buffer zone1 Picture 4 – Secondary vegetation in the buffer zone Picture 5 – Undergrowth in pinus plantations Picture 6 – The view from Disithuru Eco-Lodge towards Kudawa Forest Office Picture 7 – The Blue Magpie Lodge Picture 8 – Land use then and now Picture 9 – Kudawa Forest Office 8(91) Acknowledgement Opportunity to follow the International Masters in Natural Resource Management, Governance and Globalization at the Stockholm University has made my stay in Sweden worthwhile and provided me with an opportunity to further explore my interests. It was in deed a worthwhile challenge for me; to cope up with rather a tight schedule with full-time studying while on full-time job as the Chargé d’ Affaires for a period of seven months and there after as Counsellor at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Stockholm. Still I did find time and also enjoyed the interactions with my fellow course mates. In fact, sharing experiences and knowledge amongst the fellow course mates from across the globe, was one of the best things about the course. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Stockholm University, which selected me to join this course and all the teaching staff/coordinators of the course for their efforts and patience with us. Being a pilot course, sometimes, things were not smooth as expected; but I believe we were effective guinea pigs – meaning that we provided constructive criticism to further improve the course in the future. I also take this opportunity to thank the former Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Stockholm, Dr. V. K. Valsan for granting permission to follow the course - having faith that I would not neglect office work by engaging in full-time studies.