A conceptual analysis on the proposal on re-induction of forest growth in the North-western region of Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

In recent past, abundant forest covers of Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka especially in the north-western region of the district have been destructed due to various reasons, which led to emergence of lesser reproductive grassland ecosystem. With an advent of recent efforts by the government to develop east, there is an urgent need to re-induce the forest growth in these grassland areas to replenish the dynamic equilibrium of nature and the interfaces between human societies. Considering this pronounced ‘need’, this paper lays out a methodology to re-induce forest growth in that region. What is proposed is an eco-friendly and sustainable method which uses livestock power as voracious grazers to remove the grasses, and allows free space for emergence. Once the seedlings reach certain height they starts to shade the remaining grasses beneath them and retards further establishment of grass as such, the forest starts to develop densely. This method of re-induction of forest trees using traditional livelihood method, for which the region is famous for, i.e livestock farming, is expected to produce significant national-wide benefits.