Introduction
Knowledge Management & Capacity building of 12 projects implemented in the Knuckles Conservatory Area under the 6th operational phase of the the GEF Small Grants Programme of the UNDP. All projects are focused on bio diversity focal area and will be operational from 2018 to 2020.
Overview of the Knuckles Conservation Forest & the Buffer Zone Landscape
The Knuckles Conservation Area lies in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, falling within the Kandy and Matale Districts, and spans an area of approximately 21,000 hectares. As of 2009, the Knuckles Conservation Forest (KCF) has formed a part of the designated Central Highlands of Sri Lanka World Heritage Property, which also includes the Peak Wilderness Protected Area and the Horton Plains National Park (Forest Department Sri Lanka, 2017).
The KCF, including the buffer zone, falls across 12 different Divisional Secretarial divisions (DSD), belonging to Kandy and Matale districts. The total population size of the entire area is 170,609 while the separate values for the Conservation Forest and its buffer zone are 81,733 and 88,876 respectively.
Due to its diverse natural vegetation, which includes lowland rainforests and montane forests, the Knuckles area records a very high and unique level of biodiversity. It contains charismatic species such as the Knuckles pygmy lizard, Knuckles rock frog, leopards, and elephants. Further, the Knuckles range is one of the 70 listed Important Bird Area sites in Sri Lanka, and an important watershed, providing 30% of the water to the Mahaweli river basin and reservoir system.
Despite its importance, vital areas of the Knuckles Region have become degraded due to human activities such as encroachment, illegal logging, land clearing, tea planting and cardamom cultivation. The area is also prone to natural disasters, including climate-induced events such as extreme floods and landslides. The buffer zone of the Conservation Forest is particularly affected due to lack of protective regulations. The three major threats to the KCF and its buffer area are from forest fires, tourism, and lack of proper waste management.
Objectives
Enable SGP grantees and other CSO stakeholders to network, share and showcase best practices, innovative technologies and lessons learned developed by the civil society to promote the replication and scaling up of the results for greater policy influence and transformational change.
Activities
- Awareness, training & capacity building
- Preparation of knowledge products such as photo stories, GIS maps, impact evaluation reports, case studies and newspaper articles.
- Submission of nominations of successful projects for local and international Awards
- Knowledge sharing about past and ongoing projects. (www.gefsgpsl.org)
Grantee projects
1.Development of eco-tourism with the community participation in Rathna Ella forest reserve, Rathna Ella falls & Kaluwa watuna Ella falls by National Ethnic Unity Foundation (NEUF)
2. Biodiversity conservation and enhancing ecosystem services in Kandegama, Kobonilla, Hare Park villages and surrounding forest reserves by Centre for Integrated Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIIKS)
3. Community based bio diversity conservation project in Knuckles area by Dumbara Mituro – Environment & Cultural Foundation
4. Protecting herpetofaunal point endemic species for strengthening the conservation status of the Knuckles landscape by Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka (HFS)
5. Conserve bio diversity and enhance ecosystem services in Theligamu river high sensitive catchment area by Arunalu Community Development Centre
6. Project on biodiversity conservation and livelihood development through integrated village development in Meda Ela and Kahagala areas by Anurudda Arana Trust
7. Project on Green Village Eco-Tourism Model in the Knuckles Valley by Community Resource Protection Centre (CRPC)
8. Developing eco-tourism services in the Narangamuwa and Lakegala GN divisions by Nirmanee Development Foundation
9. Introduce sustainable land management practices to Illukkumbura and Mahalakotuwa Sites by Rangiri Thakshana Piyasa
10. Productivity and sustainability improvement of agro eco-system in the Knuckles Buffer Zone and livelihood development by Community Development Centre (CDC)
11. Conservation of biodiversity in 100 hectares of land in four villages in Minipe ds division in Kandy district by Peoples’ Livelihood Development Foundation (PLDF)
12. Converting 100 acres of abandoned tea lands in Midland estate in Raththota in to a land which provides eco system services by Grama Abiwardi Foundation for Environmental Conservation (GAFEC)
Project Location Map
Funding sources
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