Research Studies on Forest Management in Sri Lanka

Participatory Forestry in Sri Lanka: Success or Failure?

2018-09-05T03:57:00.000+05:30

Presentation Abstract

Dinuka Senevirathne

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka was once a heavily forested island, but over the present century its forest cover has declined markedly to about 29%. Historically, much of the loss may be attributed to the creation during colonial times of plantations of tea, rubber, coconut and other crops. In the last decade the greatest single cause of deforestation has been the accelerated Mahaweli Development Program, a major irrigation scheme fed by a series of dams across Sri Lanka's largest river. Although not always publicly acknowledged, this resulted in the clearance of substantial areas of natural forests. However, in the 1980s there was a widespread recognition of a need for reforestation and forest conservation measures in both government and donor circles. Although there had been attempts to launch social forestry practices in Sri Lanka, forest management on a truly participatory basis was not taken place, because local people have not actively involved in tree or forest management in partnership with the Forest Department. The program have been run in many ways namely Taunga, reforestation, community forestry, participatory forestry, natural resource development. All those programs were implemented based on different aspects. Mainly the success of a program depends on the social factors, dependency on forest and awareness of the outcome. As per Sri Lanka socially now there are no much of tribes but people live as individuals and question the procedures in their own manner. Therefore it is actually hard to continue such community programs. On the other hand, the dependency on the forests or forest products declined at major level in Sri Lanka. Therefore it was hard to convince the people to work in such programs. However, different incentives were given to encourage the participation. Recent studies conducted on social forestry programs identified the need of institutional support to conduct such programs in successful manner.

Tree Selection for the Enrichment of Lower Areas of Kalu Ganga River Basin

2018-09-05T03:42:00.000+05:30

Presentation Abstract

Chathuri Liyanage

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Kalu Ganga which is also known as the “Black River” is the second largest river in Sri Lanka. It originates from the central hills of mountain Sri Pada and falls to the sea in Kalutara after travelling for 129 km. Kalu Ganga river basin in Sri Lanka has an extent of 2,766 km². Its river basin is situated entirely in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. The average annual rainfall in this area is 4,000 mm and it varies from 2,800 mm which is for the lower reaches to about 5,300 mm for the upper reaches of the basin. The average slope of the basin is steep in the upper catchment from about 30-70 degrees and it becomes gentle to very gentle from the middle catchment(0-30 degrees) to the lower catchment(0-10 degrees). As a result, runoff abruptly changes from very fast in the upper catchment to very slow in the lower catchment corresponding to the slope angle. Due to the change of slope angle, bottleneck at Ellagawa and due to illegal sand mining activities, the lower basin area suffers from floods. It also causes for the erosion at river banks. Therefore the river basin should be enriched with suitable native trees like Hora (Dipterocarpus zeylanicus), Walla-Patta (Gyrinops walla), Gon-kanduru (Cerbera odollam), Asoka (Saraca asoca) and Goda-Midella (Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng) which are the native trees growing in wet-lowland forests. Dry zone trees such as Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna) and Mee (Madhuca longifolia) can also be used as they grow successfully near waterways. Tree selection for the enrichment should be done considering many factors such as tree characteristics (height, growth rate etc.), use (medicinal and aesthetic value etc.). Developing a system for the regular monitoring of the river basin and to take remedial actions to correct negative trends are recommended to ensure the conservation of riverine areas. Further, illegal sand mining activities should be controlled by imposing laws and higher penalties.

Tree Selection for the Enrichment of Mahaweli River Basin in the Dry Zone, Sri Lanka

2018-09-05T03:19:00.001+05:30

Presentation Abstract

Hirusha Randimal

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Mahaweli is the longest river in Sri Lanka the Mahaweli Development Project has been established by taking this river as the central component. Due to the topography, it carries a large sediment load and the lateral part of the River consists with large alluvium deposits. Mahaweli river basin in the dry zone divided Mahaweli plain, Bintanne plain, Nuwarakalawiya plain and Flood plain consist with Villus ecosystems The major land use around the Mahaweli river in the Dry Zone is paddy cultivation. The water management schemes established under the above project have changed the natural flow regimes, resulting in sometimes higher flood flows, lower dry season flows and degradation of riparian and wetland habitats in the lower catchment. River banks erode along with onset northeast monsoon and inter-monsoonal rains due to lack of riverine vegetation. In order to enrich the river banks of those areas, tree species should be selected which suit for riverine ecosystems as well as intermediate and dry agro-ecological zones. Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk), Madhuca longifolia (Mee), Barringtonia acutangiila (Ela midella) and Diospyrous malabaria (Thimbiri) are some of the species which can use for enrichment. Further, eradication and management of invasive species such as Mimosa pigra and also proper enrichment model should be implemented and continuous monitoring should done for such kind of degrading ecosystem. Through a proper management of the riverine vegetation, sustainable extraction of timber and other forest products from such ecosystems should be the longer-term goal.

Variation of Volatile Oil Contents and Constituents in Lesser Known Plant Species for Formulating Mosquito Repellents

2017-11-16T18:39:00.001+05:30

Abstract

Presented at the 22nd International Forestry and Environment Symposium

11 November 2017

Madhubhashani Weerasinghe, Upul Subasinghe, Dhanushka Hettiarachchi

Volatile oils also known as essential oils are found in aromatic plants and contain volatile compounds that contribute to particular fragrances and flavours. Main uses of these volatile oils range from aroma therapy, food additives, cosmetics, natural medicines to insect repellents. Although there are common plants that produce volatile oils capable as mosquito repellents, certain plants are not known for this ability or under-utilised. Therefore, this research aimed at identifying lesser known volatile oil producing species and to formulate the plant products into safe and low cost insect repellents. An expert survey was first conducted by interviewing 7 subject experts and 13 local ayurvedic practitioners to identify the existing and potential volatile oil producing plant species which can be used as mosquito repellents. This survey identified 60 species and out of those 16 species (Ocimum tenuiflorum, Azadirachta indica, Acorus calamus, Atalantia ceylanica, Ocimum sanctum, Plectranthus amboinicus, Plectranthus zatarhendi, Vetiveria zizanioides, Acronychia pendunculata, Osmium gratissium, Aegle marmelos, Limonia acidissima, Murraya koenigii, Ricinus communis, Cinnamomum verum and Tagetes erecta) was selected after a weighted ranking system for further study. Hydro-distillation for 5 hours was used with 100 g of leaves for oil extraction for each species with three replicates. Particle size was kept at 1.5 cm for this purpose with 1:12 water ratio. Oil constituents were identified using GC-MS analysis. According to the results C. verum yielded the highest mean oil content (0.0113±0.0024 ml/g) followed by A. marmelos (0.0095±0.0018 ml/g). 0.0018 ml/g). 0.0018 ml/g). 0.0018 ml/g). 0.0018 ml/g). A. ceylanica bears the highest number of constituents followed by M. koenigii and L. acidissima. However, the highest number of constituents which act as mosquito repellents showed by L. acidissima and C. verum as the present study. Those constituents are α-Pinene, 3-Carene, Terpinolene, Caryophyllene oxide in C. verum and α-Pinene, Limonene, Terpinolene and Caryophyllene oxide in L. acidissima.

Limonia acidissima (Wood apple) tree

Determination of Rotation Period and Scheduling Harvesting and Replanting

2016-09-19T19:51:00.000+05:30

Abstract of a presentation conducted by

Gimhani Danushika

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

The objectives in forest management are often achieved by controlling the characteristics of a forest stand or set of forest stands in to influence the growth and yield of those stands. Further according to the objective of the land owner, it will change optimal rotation period of the plantations rotation. Most government owned plantations are following biological rotation to determine harvesting age of the plantation while commercial plantations are managed with economic rotation to get maximum economic benefit.

Harvest scheduling is a traditional exercise carried out by forest land managers on public and private lands. Public land management has characteristically balanced timber and non-commodity forest production while private land is going for optimal timber production. Therefore, industrial plantation establishment has been dominated by profit maximization and cost reduction by various strategies like economies of scale. Forest harvest practices in Sri Lanka are conducted by two ways called thinning and final harvesting. Final harvesting can be done in different ways such as clear cutting where all trees are felled, while selective cutting, shelterwood cutting and seed tree cutting are also possible. Thinning generate additional intermediate income from plantation while improving site quality for plant grooving by reducing competition.

Replanting of a harvested site is an important managerial activity which depends on social, cultural, economic and environmental considerations. According to management decision, it can use the same species as before or different species appropriate to the land. When replanting is carrying out, proper silvicultural practices should be maintained to gain the final harvest as expected levels. e:g: nursery establishment and maintaining, establishment of pits for planting, spacing, block wise replanting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigation, thinning and pruning etc. All these action should be conducted in proper way to maintain good replanting practice in harvested land.

Land Evaluation and Species-Site Suitability Determination for Forest Plantation Establishment

2016-09-16T10:17:00.002+05:30

Abstract of a presentation conducted by

Sohani Vithanage

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Decisions about the use of land have always been a part of human society. Forestry planning has always taken account of the influence of conditions of land in taking management decisions. The approach and methods of land evaluation were developed in order to provide a systematic framework for assessing the effects of land on potential benefits of each land use. Land evaluation is based upon a comparison between land use and land type. Land use related to forestry can be broadly categorized as production forestry, conservation forestry, recreational forestry and community forestry. These major land uses can be further described in detail according to tree species, silvicultural methods, harvesting practices etc. The focus of land evaluation is to access the requirements and limitation of each of this land use and to compare this with the properties of land.

In the process of land evaluation land use requirements for each identified land utilization type is defined. Simultaneously, land qualities and characteristics of each land unit is described using literature surveys and ground surveys. These data is then coupled with economic and social data to develop a comprehensive comparison of land use with land. The outputs of land evaluation can be presented in terms of land suitability classifications or land suitability maps. At present, this procedure can be carried out with the help of computerized land evaluation systems and geographic information systems. In determining the species site suitability for forest plantation establishment, three aspects have to be considered. They are purpose of plantation, species availability and environmental conditions. For this process, depending on the species and sites, information survey can extend from local level to international level.

Land Evaluation and Species-Site Suitability Determination for Forest Plantation Establishment

2016-09-16T10:17:00.001+05:30

Abstract of a presentation conducted by

Sohani Vithanage

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Site Quality Improvement in Forest Management

2016-09-13T23:32:00.001+05:30

Abstract of a presentation conducted by

Kushani Perera

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

The productivity of a site for tree growth is usually evaluated on a stand basis. Considered in this way, site quality expresses the average productivity of a designated land area for growing forest trees. A common way of expressing relative site quality is to set up from three to five classes, or ordinal ranks, such as site I, II and III. The characteristics of each class must be defined to enable any area to be classified.

Site is a complex of physical and biological factors of an area that determine what forest or other vegetation it may carry. Sites get degraded due to many reasons, especially due to human induced problems such as land clearance, clear cutting and deforestation, agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices, livestock including overgrazing, dumping of non-degradable trash, plastics etc.

Site quality is a measure of relative productive capacity of a site for a particular species.Different site gives different growth response to different species. Site quality can be influenced by climatic factors, topographic factors, soil edaphic factors and competition. Monitoring site quality is important to match the species with the site, to estimate the quantity (harvest prediction) and the quality of the timber, to monitor overall ecosystem productivity, diversity and resilience and to check the habitat type and quality.

Site quality can be evaluated by both direct (actual crop production) and indirect factors (plant indicators, crop statistics, site factors).The quality of the original site can be improved by using several silvicultural practices like fertilization, improving the quality of soil by using cover crops, mulches and mechanical methods such as plouging, harrowing and deep ripping of the soil to improve aeration and at the same time mixing the organic matter content of the soil.

Non Timber Forest Products Manufacturing and Marketing with Special Reference to Aromatic Oils

2016-09-13T23:32:00.000+05:30

Abstract of a presentation conducted by

T Venukasan

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenpura, Sri Lanka

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are any product or service other than timber that is produced in forests. They include fruits and nuts, vegetables, fish and game, medicinal plants, resins, essences and a range of barks and fibres such as bamboo, rattans, and a host of other palms and grasses. Here forest products can be classified into two main pats timber and non-timber forest products where scope of this study remains at essential oils mainly focusing on Agarwood and Sandalwood.

Agarwood is aromatic, dark, fragrant resinous substance that is produced by certain plant members of family Thymaleaceae including specially Gyrinops and Aquilaria trees. It has a high demand in globally and considered as the most expensive wood in the world. Agarwood resin formation due to natural reasons is rare and slow. Therefore resin formation is induced at commercial scale using different techniques. Both the quantity and quality of Agarwood resins is dependent on the inducement technique and therefore the use of the right method is vital to increase the product quality and income. Sandalwood oil is extracted from wood and roots of the tree. Sandalwood oil has a characteristic sweet, woody odour which is widely employed in the fragrance industry, but more particularly in the higher-priced perfumes. And also it is used in aromatherapy, cosmetic industry and to prepare soaps due to the antimicrobial activity. Unlike other aromatic wood they retain their fragrance for decades.

Citronella oil production can be highly promoted among local communities though it has been declined as it makes high profits in international market. Citronella oil is a source of important perfumery chemicals which find extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries. Leaves of Citronella plant are distilled to obtain valuable oil. It is a common mosquito repellent and also used in indigenous medicine as well as in flavouring food and alcoholic drinks in certain countries.

When considering the international market of aromatic oils, the current global value of the Agarwood trade is USD 6-12 billion. The annual supply of all forms of good quality Agarwood is about 6,000 MT which is 40% of the actual demand. Current market leaders in exportation of Sandalwood oil are India and Indonesia, while United States and France are the two largest importers of Indian Sandalwood oil. Although illegal logging is a major problem faced by the local industry, establishment of commercial S. album and Aquilaria plantations have recently become popular among the private sector. When Citronella oil is considered, Indonesia and China are the current suppliers for the global market. With proper technology and government support, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to become a potential exporter of Citronella oil.

Forest Certification and Challenges Faced by the Forest Owners

2016-09-10T23:26:00.001+05:30

Abstract of a presentation conducted by

Kalani Nayanthika

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Forest certification is a process which results in a written certification being issued by an independent third party, attesting to the location and management status of a forest. It is a powerful marketing tool and widely recognized as a useful component to stimulate movement toward sustainable management. Forest certification originated in the early 1990s as a means to protect forests from exploitative harvesting.

By certifying the management of certain forests, wood products made from that timber could be labeled as “certified”. It involves assessing the quality of forest management in relation to a set of predetermined principles and criteria. It provides consumers a credible guarantee that the product comes from environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable sustainably managed forests and also ensures that management does not diminish the value of the future forest, nor create hardships for local communities.

Certifying the forest has now become an increasing tread which provides financial, environmental and social benefits.

There are three types of forest certifications called as Forest Management, Group Certification and Chain of Custody. There are also several Forest Certification Programs in the world. The Forest Stewardship (FSC) certification is one of the popular program used in worldwide.

The global FSC standard is comprised of ten principles that cover a range of environmental, social, and economic criteria. Although there are regional variations on how the standards are applied to address the unique needs of forests, peoples, and economies in different parts of the world, the basic tenets remain the same.

From the sustainable practices followed in certification process, several social, economic and environmental benefits can be achieved. There are several opportunities which can be achieved from this certification such as increase image of the product.

There are also several challenges with regard to this certification processes such as difficulties in maintaining chain of custody from forest to the customers, difficult to justify the cost of certification. Most companies are curious or unclear about the benefits and opportunities they can derive through certification, effects from the surrounding areas where there are no sustainable practices and changing standards with time.

Control of Insect Pest Incidences in Commercial Forestry

2016-09-08T22:42:00.001+05:30

Abstract of a Presentation conducted by

Tharindu Dilshan

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Commercial forestry aims to get maximum production of timber or other forest products as a business enterprise. However pest outbreaks cause devastating losses in commercial forestry sector. Therefore the pest outbreaks in commercial forest plantations should be controlled in effective manner.

In nature, most insect species are in a balance. However with catastrophic influences this natural balance can change favoring the insect species. This type of insect pests are called as indigenous insect pests. The introduction of new pests can also be catastrophic to natural environments, particularly where similar species do not occur naturally. Those type of insect pests are called exotic insect pests.

Teak skeletonizer, teak defoliator, teak stem borer and Hypsipyla shoot borers in Meliaceae are several insect pests which are causing damages to the Sri Lankan forest plantations.

Monitoring of insect pest diseases in forestry primarily can be done in three ways such as mechanical control, biological control and chemical control. In the late nineties, with the awareness about adverse effects of chemical control of insect pests integrated pest management concept was formed. Integrated pest management has two processes called decision process and action process. In decision process, a rational decision should be taken with available data. Then in the action process the decision comes in to the action. There are two strategies using here such as preventive strategies and suppression strategies. Under preventive strategies regulatory, cultural and genetic tactics are using prevent the insect pest incidents. Under suppressive strategies methods such as mechanical, biological and chemical control are using. The important thing is in integrated pest management, chemical control methods are using in the essential occasions only. So the damages to the environment and humans are minimal.

Site preparation and forest plantation establishment in different geographical zones

2016-09-07T11:27:00.000+05:30

Abstract of a Presentation conducted by

Gayan Udugama

Department of Forestry and Environmental Science,

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

A written scheme of management aiming at continuity of policy and action and controlling the treatment is known as a Forest Management Plan. Under any plantations establishment survey and demarcation, site preparation, planting, irrigation, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, thinning, and regeneration felling are the main steps to be followed.

Survey and demarcation of boundaries is carried out generally using chain and compass survey or modernly using GPS technology. Before moving towards site preparation and planting operations, the buffer zones are identified and forest management layout will be prepared which includes location and shape of the forest plantation, road network plan, location of waterways, subdivision for fire breaks, access, spacing and mapping.

Site preparation is done to create favorable growing conditions for seeds and seedlings, and to facilitate tree planting operations. This will reduce the competition of unwanted vegetation in order to increase the survival and growth rate of the desired trees, remove slash and logging debris if the site has been harvested, and to improve water retention and provide optimal soil conditions to desired plants. The decisions taken here will depend on several factors such as existing vegetative cover, site terrain, purpose of plantation, species to be planted, soil conditions and economics.

In Sri lanka, abandoned chena lands/ vegetable lands, shrub lands and rubber uprooted lands are the common lands available for establishing forest plantation. Further such lands can be divided into three categories based on the geographic nature. They are namely flat areas, slopes and ridges. Therefore site preparation and planting operation will differ with the terrain. Generally in high slope areas forest plantation establishment is not carried out as the land is vulnerable to erosion and the operations are costly. Final decisions on the site preparation and planting will rely on the economics.

Vegetation clearance is the first step in site preparation where manual, mechanical, burning and chemical methods are used. In slopes and ridges mostly manual methods are preferred but in flat terrain mechanical and manual methods are being used. Burning is not allowed if the plantation need to be certified. Ploughing, subsoiling, pre-planting harrowing, planting pits and terracing is carried out after the vegetation is cleared.

Spacing of plantation will depend on objective of the planter and basically on several factors such as species, thinning operations, whether it’s an intercrop or a monoculture, etc. In slopes and ridges planting is carried out along the contours as a protective measure where in flat terrain any conventional planting layout suitable for land can be used.

Protection measures need to be undertaken for fire risk, pest and disease risk and for the risk of soil erosion and landslides.

Forest Site Preparation, Planting and Early Management

2015-09-21T18:17:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Liduli Livera

Forest management plan, a written scheme of management aiming at continuity of policy and action and controlling the treatments includes several steps namely demarcation of boundaries, site preparation, planting, irrigation, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, thinning and regeneration felling. When establishing a forest plantation, lay-out need to be prepared, then site preparation and finally planting operations are carried out.

Preparation of lay-out includes confirming the location and shape of the forest plantation, preparation of road network plan, location of waterways, subdivision for fire breaks and access, spacing and mapping. Site preparation is done to create favorable growing conditions for seeds and seedlings, and to facilitate tree planting operations. This depends on the purpose of plantation, species to be planted, existing vegetative cover and soil conditions of the plantation site. Field activities which are carried out in site preparation are removal of the existing vegetation to reduce or eliminate competition and ground preparation to improve water retention and provide optimal soil conditions. Manual, mechanical, chemical methods and burning is usually carried out for vegetation clearance of the site. After vegetation clearance ground preparation is done by ploughing, sub-soiling, pre-planting harrowing, preparation of planting pits and terracing. For preparation of planting pits, planting design is important. Planting design decisions are obtained according to planting objectives and operational requirements associated with tending of planting. Different site preparation practices are carried out for different types of land uses (eg: crop fields, fallow crop field with herbaceous weeds, woody species or shrubs, pastures and open areas, existing timber stands).

After site preparation and planting operations, early management practices such as protection and cultural treatments are carried out. Protection need to be provided against wild and domestic animal predation, insect and fungi, and weeds. And also watering practices and fertilizing is done for plantations for proper management and to achieve ultimate forest management plan.

Pest Management in Commercial Forestry

2015-09-21T18:11:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Madhushi Weerasinghe

Forest Pest can be defined as “any insect, disease or closely related organism which is harmful, injurious, or destructive to forest or timber”. All parts of a tree roots, stems, foliage, shoots and terminal leaders are vulnerable to attack by pests. Pest damage can range from slight damage that has no effect on the value of the harvested product to severe damage that stunts or kills the trees or reduces their market value. Tree pests include insects and mites, diseases, vertebrates, and nematodes.

There are several common pests that can be commonly seen in commercial forestry. In Tectona grandis the most common insects cause severe damage plantations are Leaf Skeletonizer (Eutectona machaeralis) and Defoliator (Hyblaea puera). In Swietenia macrophylla the most common pest is Mahogany Shoot Borer (Hypsipyla grandella). Moreover, there are insect pests in Eucalyptus grandis, such as Eucalyptus gall wasp (Ophelimus maskelli). Also some pathogens such as Leaf Spot Fungi (Cryptosporiopis eucalypti),Cylindrocladium Leaf Spot Blight-Fungi (Cylindrocladium reteaudii), Botryoshharia Canker (Botryosphaeria spp.) and Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacerum) are common. In Aquilaria malaccensis, Leaf spot Disease caused by Corynespora cassicola is common. Considering Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) there are some nursery diseases such as Damping off and Pre-emergence wilt.Also forest plantations can be damaged by Elephants and small mammals.

Managing tree pests effectively should be based on thorough consideration of ecological and economic factors. The pest, its biology, and the type of damage are some of the factors that determine which control strategies and methods should be used. Pest management decisions represent a compromise between the value of the product, the extent of the pest damage, the relative effectiveness and cost of the control measures, and the impact on the environment.

Here the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is mainly used. That relies on an understanding of the ecology of the pest, draws on this knowledge non-chemical approaches that will make the environment less suited to the development of the pest population. Integrated Pest Management practice may involve in the control program, the judicious and sensitive use of pesticides where necessary. There are five major steps in IPM. Monitoring is the first step. Monitoring forests and newly established plantations will help detect problems early, while there is still time to take action. Identification of pests and the diagnosis of pest damage is the second step of IPM. Threshold level is point at which the pest or its damage becomes unacceptable. The threshold level may be related to the beauty, health, or economic value of the tree crop and that comes as the third step of IPM. Selection of management strategy is fourth step and under this there are several management strategies such as, do nothing, cultural management, mechanical management, biological management and chemical management. Evaluation is the final step of IPM. It is very important to determine how effective the management and control tactics are. This information will determine whether any follow-up treatment is needed and will improve management strategies for next year.

Insect Management in Commercial Forestry

2015-09-21T18:04:00.001+05:30

Presented by

Pabasara Gunawardane

All parts of a tree are vulnerable to attack by pests. Pest damage can range from slight damage that has no effect on the value of the harvested product, to severe damage that stunts or kills the trees or reduces their market value. Tree pests include insects and mites, diseases, weeds, vertebrates, and nematodes.

Insects belong to the kingdom Animalia and in the phylum Arthropoda. Insects are categorised under the class Insecta. More than one million different species of insects have been identified. Some insects of orders such as Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Isoptera and Orthoptera are considered as pests in plantation forestry. Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus sp. Swietenia macrophylla, Santalum album and Aquilaria sp. are some of the major plantation species in Sri Lanka and the world

When consider about the insects, at least 174 species of insects have been recorded from the living teak tree. Most of these insects are not economically significant in their attacks. Teak defoliator (Hyblaea puera) causes severe defoliation and, hence, reduce growth rate of the tree. The larva of leaf skeletonizer (Eutectona machaeralis) feeds on the green leaf tissue between the network of veins, leaving the skeleton of veins intact. The most important stem borer in young teak plantations is Zeuzera coffeae. Another stem borer is Xyleutes ceramicus and it is found in older Teak plantations.

More than 920 species of insects are associated in Eucalypts. The most common pest problem of exotic eucalypts is mortality of saplings caused by root-feeding termites. Eucalyptus Gall Wasp has been reported in Sri Lanka in 2010 and it was successfully controlled by natural enemies of the pest insect.

Mahogany shoot borer (Hypsipyla robusta) outbreak is the most severe pest attack found in Mahogany. It is suggested that the relatively low level of attack in Sri Lanka may be due to good overhead shade where the trees have been planted.

Zeuzera coffease (red borer) Indarbela quardinotata (bark-feeding caterpillar) and Aristobia octofasiculata (heartwood borer) are some of the pests causing considerable damage to living Sandalwood trees. In agar plantation no such serious pests and diseases have been observed. A leaf-eating caterpillar (Heortia vitessoides) is considered to be the most destructive pest causing damage by complete defoliation of agar plantations. When compare with the other countries of the region the status of the pest outbreaks in forest plantations are lower in Sri Lanka.

In earlier attempts to control pest the commonly used method was to kill all the pests and with time plantation managers realized that pests need to be controlled only if they cause economic damages. The pest management concept is used to indicate management of the pest population to limit it to a tolerable level. With the advancement of knowledge and the science the concept of integrated pest management (IPM) has been introduced in order to manage the insects and pests in commercial plantations.

Lack of sufficient scientific research, inapplicability of sophisticated pest management methods used in developed countries and having the low attention on the pest management in forest plantation species by the government are major challenges in insect management in Sri Lankan forestry context.

Market Demand and Export of Non-Timber Products

2015-09-19T00:28:00.001+05:30

Presented by

Sumudu Marasinghe

All the biological material except industrial round wood, derived sawn timber, wood chips, wood-based panel and pulp are generally considered as non- timber forest products. They may be extracted from natural ecosystems, managed plantations and other resources and be utilised within the household, social, cultural or religious significance. The non- timber forest products are defined as goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forests, other wooded lands and trees outside the forests. Non- timber products which are exported from Si Lanka are mainly tea, natural rubber, coffee, coconut and coconut based products, cocoa, spices, cashew, ayurvedic & herbal products, bamboo, rattan and cane, essential oils and resins

Sri Lanka has acquired a good demand and reputation for tea and cinnamon in the world market. Pure Ceylon tea satisfies 19% of global tea demand and Sri Lanka has become the world's third largest tea exporter to the world market. About 96% of the total tea production in our country is exported to about 40 countries. Among those countries United Arab Emirates, Russian Federation and Jordan are the major buyers for Ceylon Tea. When it comes to Cinnamon, Sri Lanka is the world's largest producer and exporter of pure cinnamon and satisfies almost 90% of demand of the world market. Sri Lankan Cinnamon has been established in the international market under the global brand name of Pure Ceylon Cinnamon and it satisfies almost 90% of demand of the world market. USA & Mexico are the main markets and it also exported to countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Guatemala, Chile and Bolivia. Not only raw cinnamon but also value-added Cinnamon products such as oil, powder and tablets are produced and exported. And our country is in the sixth position among the global natural rubber producers. Different types of natural rubber such as ribbed smoked sheet rubber, latex crepe rubber, scrap crepe rubber and centrifuged latex are exported and rubber sector is the third largest export earner of the country. USA, Belgium, Germany, Italy and UK are the main export markets for natural rubber. And Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Japan, Germany are the main export markets for semi-processed Sri Lankan rubber. Another important category is essential oils such as Eucalyptus oil, Cinnamon leaf oil, Cinnamon bark oil and Citronella oil. Pepper, nutmeg and mace, cardamom and clove are some of the main spices which are exported from our country.

According to the Annual report of 2014 produced by Sri Lanka Export Development Board, a considerable success was achieved by all the tea products. The exports were increased in terms of both value and volume by 5.43 % and 2.35% respectively. 48.54% of total tea export earnings were gained by exporting Tea Packets and 49.10 % from exporting bulk tea. But export earnings from all categories of natural rubber were declined during the last year. Overall negative performance of natural rubber exports was -36.32%. Export earnings from coconut oil, fresh coconut nuts, coconut fibre based products and coconut shell products were increased but earnings from export of coconut powder was declined. When considering about the spices, only the exports of cardamom were increased and the exports of other spices such as pepper, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg were declined.

Several issues in the exporting sector can be identified which inhibit the performances of the exports. Lack of policy objectives on extraction of non – timber products, lack of modern technology on extraction, lack of knowledge and attention to maintain the product quality, lack of experience and knowledge about the opportunities in the international market and competition from the other countries which have more resources and technology than our country are some of those issues. Therefore to overcome those barriers solutions should be designed and adopted such as awareness programmes for farmers to meet the international standards of the products, introducing more efficient technologies to extract the products, research and development programmes to increase the quality and purity of the products and establishing a proper database on the demand and supply of the exporting products.

Harvest Scheduling and Replanting in Comjmercial Forestry

2015-09-19T00:25:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Arundathi Koliyabandara

Harvest scheduling is a traditional exercise that has been carried out by forest land managers on public and private lands alike. Industrial forest management has generally been distinguished by a much higher rate of intensification than has been the case on public lands. Whereas public land management has characteristically balanced timber and non-commodity forest production. Industrial plantation establishment has been dominated by profit maximization and cost reduction through economies of scale. Forest companies are now facing the challenge of scheduling spatially specific timber management activities over time to achieve their traditional objectives and the new environmental goals.

A good operational harvest schedule will satisfy the customers’ orders from areas of forest while minimising transportation costs. Also, areas of the forest with high quality trees will be used to provide high quality (high value) logs while lower quality areas will fulfil low quality (low-value) demands, minimising the conversion of high quality trees into low-value logs. Operational harvest scheduling can be very difficult. Good operational harvest scheduling is an activity where large immediate financial gains can be found. This is in contrast to tactical planning where gains will be seen in two to three years, or strategic planning with gains realised thirty or more years in the future. The immediate gains of a good harvest schedule are listed below. Harvesting costs are reduced, harvesting productivity is increased, larger volumes of high quality logs are produced and transport costs are lowered. Harvesting is done by two means as thinning and clear cutting. The conducting silvicultural system and the economics and demand are important factors when scheduling the harvest. There are commonly using harvesting systems as clear cutting, shelter wood, selection and coppicing. Clear cutting is where all of the trees in a stand are removed. Clear cutting diseased or insect-infested area is often necessary to protect healthy trees. Shelter wood System is designed to remove certain trees and establish new growth under the protection of an over story of foliage. Sufficient mature trees are left standing to shelter the site until new growth is well established. The using silvicultural system depends on the objective.If a site is maintained to get timber and to maintain aesthetics selection is used. Coppicing is used when fuel wood is gained. If the prime objective is to get timber, clear cut is the method which will be practised.

The rotation is also an important consideration in harvest scheduling. It helps in deciding when to harvest the stand. There are main rotations used in commercial forestry which can be stated as technical rotation, biological rotation, income generation rotation and etc. Technical rotation is suitable for providing timber, wood with specific dimensions. In biological rotation the maximum volume production is expected. The stand is harvested when maximum mean annual increment is reached. Income generation rotation is a monetary rotation where the harvesting is scheduled at the time where highest average income is gained.

Replanting of a harvested site is an important managerial activity which depends on on social, cultural, economic and environmental reasons. Use of the same species or different species is a choice made by the management. When replanting is carrying out proper silvicultural practices should be maintained to gain the final harvest such as nursery establishment and maintaining, establishment of pits for planting, spacing, block wise replanting ,weeding , fertilising, irrigation, thinning and pruning. Intercropping can be practised based on the objectives.

In Sri Lanka some upcountry Eucalyptus plantations are clear-felled and replanted with more suitable Eucalyptus species. Some selected mature Pinus plantations too are clear-felled and replaced with, Khaya, Hora, Eucalyptus and Mix species. Dry Zone Teak plantations are re established mainly with Teak in the second rotation. However in the areas where elephant damaged is high, Khaya was planted instead of Teak.

Carbon sequestration potential of a plantation will be an added benefit and when scheduling harvest the area leaving for conservation and proper practices of harvesting should be planned.

Use of Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management

2015-09-19T00:21:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Bhagya Karunathilaka

Forests are managed for maintaining a healthy forest compatible with the owner objectives to maximum utilisation of the land ensuring the continuous outcome. In 1992 the Earth summit, the United Nations Conference Environmental Development focused on the importance of Sustainable Forest Management as a key component of sustainable development under its Chapter 11: Forest Principles for Sustainable Development in Agenda 21

Sustainable Forest Management addresses forest degradation and deforestation while increasing direct benefits to people and the environment. Criteria and Indicators are powerful tools in promoting Sustainable Forest Management by defining, guiding, monitoring and assessing the progress towards Sustainable forest management in a given context. In 1990, International Tropical Timber Organization initiated these Criteria and indicators

A criterion is a standard that a thing is judged by and an indicator is any variable can be used to infer performance which indicates the change in a direction of a criterion. Indicators can be defined in Quantitative, Qualitative or Descriptive manner. Present global initiatives of Criteria and Indicators are ITTO, Pan-European Forest, Montreal, Tarapoto, Dry Zone Africa, Near East, ATO and Central American processes.

Roles of criteria and indicators can be identified in International and/or regional scale, National and sub-national level and in Forest management unit level such as Supporting international forest policy deliberations and negotiations on issues related to Sustainable Forest management; Providing a basis for collecting, categorizing, analyzing, reporting, and representing information the state of forests and their management; Describing, monitoring and reporting on the national forest trends and changes; Assessing progress towards Sustainable Forest Management and identify emerging threats and weaknesses; and A basis for developing forest certification systems, etc.

There are seven common themes of Criteria and Indicators as Enabling Conditions for Sustainable forest management; Forest Resource Security; Forest Ecosystem Health and Conditions; Flow of Forest Products; Biological Diversity; Soil and water and Economic, social and culture aspect.

In the Asian context, Bhutan Has formulated general principles to guide its forest management plans but has no yet developed detailed Criteria and Indicators. China, A member of both ITTO and the Montreal process, is actively developing national and sub-national-level Criteria and Indicators. In India, The Institute of Indian Forest Management lead in developing Criteria and Indicators and Launched the Bhopal-India process in 1998 Collaboration with other international organizations, such as ITTO and CIFOR. Mongolia uses “environmental reporting indicators”.

Sri Lanka has prepared Management Plans for each natural forests consistency with international Criteria and Indicator processes. By the Forestry Sector Master Plan 1995, the Main former objective of the Forest Management: Wood production was replaced by current management strategies tending towards sustainable forest management for multiple purposes while Incorporating input from local communities. The Forest Department monitors a traditional array of basic forestry indicators in Sri Lanka because proper criteria and indicators have not been prepared in the national level.

Mother Tree Selection and Nursery Practices

2015-09-19T00:09:00.001+05:30

Presented by

Dinusha Prasadi

Seeds from straight and vigorous trees produce straight and vigorous trees and twisted or stunted trees may produce the same deformities. Therefore mother tree selection is very important in forest plantation establishment. The characteristics of a good mother tree should be: healthy and free of diseases and insects, nearly mature, good producers of the desired product and growing in the midst of a healthy stand of the same species.

There are many seed collection methods such as collecting from natural seed fall, shaking the tree, pruning off seed bearing branches, throwing a rope with weighted end to break off a seed bearing branch, climbing trees to collect seed or collecting seed from felled trees.

The seeds should be new, mature, healthy and well-dried and they are stored in air-tight containers in dry and cool place. Seeds should be protected from attacks of insects, fungi and birds. Seed storage condition is very important and it should be maintained in accordance with the seed requirements. The viability of many seeds is reduced by half within six months under ordinary room conditions. Thus, to improve the storability conditions of seeds, relative humidity and storage temperature should be maintained. The storage conditions of the seeds are varying with the type of species.

A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to usable size before planting in the field. It is the foundation for tree planting success for reforestation and agroforestry. There are many nursery practices. They are nursery establishment, site selection such as location and required nursery area, site preparation and drainage, preparation of seed beds, seed testing, seed pretreatment and growing media preparation, seed germination, transplanting, tending operation of transplanted seedlings and establishment of seedlings nurseries.

The seedling stock should be managed properly to get the good plantation by considering shading, watering, spacing, root pruning, shoot pruning, weeding, fertilising, pest and diseases, grading and culling, hardening-off and seedlings transport in to the plantation site.

Role of Conservation Perspectives in Commercial Forestry

2015-09-18T23:59:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Samurdi Dias

Commercial forestry aims obtaining maximum production of timber, fuel wood and other forest products as a business. Even though it aims on maximum benefits, conservation is also a major requirement. Conservation is the “practice of planning and maintaining forest areas for the benefit and sustainability of future generations”. It is important because forests provide versatile ecosystem services such as hold water, prevent erosion, ensure quality of surface and groundwater, High carbon reserve, clean the air, protection from storm damages, as a buffer against desertification, produce food, offer recreational possibilities, improve mental well-being and protects biodiversity. Also conservation is important to preserve natural beauty, increase recreational value, provide additional income sources, increase total economic value, for social benefits, to get forest certificates.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is one of the major forest certification bodyin the world. FSC certification ensures that products come from well managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. It provides benefits such as access to new markets and there are 10 FSC principles; Compliance with laws and FSC Principles, Tenure and use rights, Indigenous peoples’ rights, Community relations and worker's rights, Benefits from the forest, Environmental impact, Management, Monitoring and assessment, Maintenance of high conservation value, Plantation. Principle 3, 5, 6, 9 are related to conservation. Principle 9 tlaks about high conservation value forests, which can be defined as the forests possesses one or more of the following attributes. forest areas containing globally, regionally or nationally significant concentrations of biodiversity values (e.g. endemism, endangered species) and / or large landscape-level forests, forest areas that contain rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems, forest areas that provide basic services of nature in critical situations (watershed protection, erosion control), forest areas fundamental to meeting basic needs of local communities and/or critical to local communities' traditional cultural identity.

Conservation can be done by sustainable forest management. Seven thematic areas of sustainable forest management are extent of forest resources, biological diversity, forest health and vitality, productive functions and forest resources, protective functions of forest resources, socio-economic functions and legal, policy and institutional framework.

Other practices are less-destructive methods of logging such as make a forest inventory and map prior to logging, use of less impact machinery in logging, reduce machine operating time, train loggers in proper logging techniques, exclude clear cutting. Establishing stream buffer zones and watershed protection areas, specially design roads for transport, use fertilizer and pesticides in less harmful manner, protect fire prone areas, combined plantations, protect wildlife and nature based tourism.

Conservation practices use in Sri Lanka; in up country of Sri Lanka there is no complete removal of vegetative cover in site preparation, arrange roads along contours, avoid uprooting plant species which help to prevent soil erosion (Eg: Mana), Pine and Eucalyptus tree felling is prohibited. In intermediate zone no tree felling in some of the plantations due to water quality issues.

Another method is nature based tourism this is currently practiced in government Khaya plantation in Sigiriya. Part of the plantation is giving as camping site for tourists. The land was leased to private owner under 30 year agreement and the owner pays rental for forest department. This has high demand from tourists due to high recreation value.

Practical issues of conservation in commercial forestry are high demand for timber, illicit felling, lacks of knowledge about conservation and its importance and less concern on conservation.

Recommendations to improve conservation are law implementation, offer income tax benefits to owners of plantations, offer insurance scheme for plantations, Carbon trading, introduce value addition methodology for plantations, develop ecotourism activities in plantations located in areas like Nuwara Eliya, Knuckles, Kanneliya as there is high aesthetic value and urge private forest plantations to do conservation activities.

Market Demand and Export of Timber

2015-09-18T23:53:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Piyali Dias

World timber market is mainly based on primary timber products such as industrial round wood, sawn timber, wood based panels, paper, paper board and wood pulp. Moreover furniture and builder’s wood work and joinery also play an important role in the world timber market. United States, Canada and the Russian federation are the leading timber producers in the world who makes the largest contributions to the global timber production which is more than 3.4 billion m³ annually. However, more than half of this timber production is gone for wood fuel while the rest of the amount used for timber and paper products where the Europe and the United States act as the world leading timber consumers. According to the recent findings the most demanded timber product was softwood industrial round wood which was produced more than 400 million m³ of timber in the year 2013 in North America. However the highest softwood roundwood flow is going from New Zealand to China where China acts as the main importer of many timber products. Though the tropical timber market is much lower than temperate timer, industrial round woods are the most demanded item among those tropical timber products. The second most demanded item was softwood sawn wood which had a production as well as a consumption of about 96 million m³ in 2013 which was recorded from the European Union. However the wood base panels, paper, paper products and wood pulp have comparatively lower demand in global timber situation where Europe dominate the production of those products in year 2013. Among those products, particle boards have the highest production which is nearly equals to the 35.5% of the total wood based panel production. Moreover the most demanded secondary processed timber product was furniture which had recorded more than $124 million by value in the European Union flowed by the US, Italy and Germany. World furniture production is dominated by Asian countries where China appears as the highest furniture producer in the world. Sawn soft woods are the main exported product which leads the world timber exports in 2013. The Europe was the all-round exporter in each and every type of timber product including round wood, sawn wood, paper, paper board, wood pulp and wood based panels. European exports are increased by 5.6% in 2013 with 46 million m³ by volume of sawn softwood exports to the overseas markets mainly to China and North African countries. However, though the prices of timber products are slightly changing from country to country the highest market prices were recorded for paper and paper boards which is around $ 900 per metric ton while the least prices were recorded for industrial round wood as nearly $ 100 per cubic meter throughout the time period of last fifty years. In temperate region, Hem Lock, Pine, Cypress and Swedish spruce are the main traded timber species while Shorea, Dipterocarpus, Teak and Ceiba leading the tropical timber market. Though Sri Lanka is not playing any important role in the world timber situation by not exporting any timber product instead of re exporting treated, imported Kempus timber by STC while private sector is involving in exports up to some extent. But here they have to overcome some of the legal barriers such as Forest act, Import Export act and Customs act as well as some international standards which set up by world reputed certification systems such as Forest Stewardship Certification, when entering to the global export market.

Species Selection in Commercial Forestry

2015-09-18T23:51:00.000+05:30

Presented by

Tharani Dilshara

Selection of species is important in starting a plantation project because the species selected decides the affected silvicultural practice and the management and utilisation of crops.

Selection of a tree crop for planting depends on the purpose, the species potentially available for planting, site qualities, silvicultural and economic factors. Before considering the site characteristics and demands, it is essential to have clear understanding of the objectives of raising the particular plantations and those factors will narrow the choice of a species. Species selection in commercial forestry is mainly determined, however, by the demand and establishment costs.

As a rule, where a native species meets the need there is no reason to choose an alternative because of the conservation purposes more prefer the native species. However, the majority of successful plantation in the tropics consist exotic species.

Species and provenance trials have to be carried out before establishment of plantations using new species. Site qualities play a major role in the interactions between genotype and environment. Site quality factors such as climate, soil, physiographic and biotic factors affect the growth at different manner even for the same species. Another major determinant of species selection is the specific silvicultural requirement of the tree species. Having matched species to the site, a further vital decision is selection of the most suitable provenance.

In Sri Lanka the main plantation species are Teak, Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) and Mahogany. Most of the fuel wood, miscellaneous hardwood and teak plantations are located in the dry zone, Eucalypts and Pine plantations are mostly in the up country wet zone and Mahogany plantations are situated in intermediate and wet zone.

Timber and Non-timber Forest Products Manufacturing and Marketing

2015-09-18T23:35:00.003+05:30

Presented by

Yasika Subasinghe

The new forest policy of Sri Lanka includes provisions for the production of timber and NTFPs, value addition and marketing. Greater responsibility is given to local people, cooperatives, other organised groups or private bodies in commercial forest production for industrial manufacturing and marketing

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the population in Sri Lanka is still growing at a rate of 1.1%. Annual sawn-wood consumption per 1000 persons in 1993 was estimated to be 31 m³ and sawn-wood demand is projected to grow from 0.544 million m³ in 1993 to 0.885 million m³ in 2020, at a rate of 12,600 m³ per year. Demand for plywood and other wood-based panels are predicted to increase at rates of 2.8% and 3.5% respectively per year. Even though natural forests and forest plantations have the potential to supply country’s total timber demand, most of this is either in inaccessible protected area or felling is banned. Therefore, around 70% of the industrial timber have to be supplied from home gardens, rubber and coconut plantations, and trees planted along farm boundaries, on roadsides, and in urban areas.

Timber manufacturing process comprises of log sorting and barking, log sawing or breakdown, sorting and grading, drying, re-grading and surfacing. At each stage traditional knowledge in timber use and modern technology in maximization of the timber yield should be coupled together. Promoting local tree species in timber manufacturing and marketing can also be recommended.

Non timber forest products play a major role in income generation of local peripheral communities in natural forests. Under policy on wood and NTFP’s industries and marketing, a greater responsibility will be given to the local people, organized groups, cooperatives, industries and other private bodies in commercial forest production for industrial manufacturing and marketing. Efficient forest products utilization, development of competitive forest industries based on sustainable wood sources and manufacturing of value-added forest products will be promoted. Effective measures to protect the forests and prevent illegal trade in wood, NTFPs and endangered species of flora and fauna will also be instituted.

There are many non-timber forests products extracted from natural forests in Sri Lanka. Some of them are gums, resins and oleoresins, barks, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds, flowers and their juices, leaves, grasses, bamboos, canes and creepers, Kitul (Caryota urens) products, edible plants and medicinal plants.

When a timber product or non-timber forest product is to be manufactured or extracted the market potential for that particular product should be identified at prior stages of planning. Timber manufacturers in both government and private sectors adopt different methods of marketing their products such as holding auctions, facilitating loans for furniture, publishing in websites, paper advertisements. Considering local non timber forest products collectors there is no so called marketing procedures but sometimes intermediate buyers tend to use websites and newspaper advertisements for marketing purpose. However better techniques in yield optimization of timber and sustainable extraction of non-timber forest products should be given more consideration in achieving policy objectives.

Pruning and Thinning Practices in Commercial Forestry

2015-09-18T23:30:00.001+05:30

Presented by

Chirosha Lakmini

In commercial Forest Plantation cycle, after land preparations and planting of seedlings, pruning and thinning are conducted to obtain better quality timber. Pruning is the removal of live and dead branches from the bole at early stage. Pruning can be natural or artificial and natural pruning is further divided into physical and biotic processes. Trees do not always benefit from pruning and therefore it should only be carried out after careful consideration of the objectives of management.

Generally pruning practice has three steps, (i) to remove dead, broken, diseased branches; (ii) to identify main stem and remove competing branches; and (iii) to suppress or removal of lover limbs. Pruning types are singling, formative pruning, brashing and high pruning. Yet there are special pruning types for Conifers which are variable lift and fixed lift. The equipments used in pruning are the head pole saw, the pole pruner, bypass style hand sheer, foot handles, hand saw.

Thinning is the felling made in an immature stand for the purpose of improving the growth and form of the trees that remain without permanently breaking the canopy. Selection and systematic are the two main thinning types. Selection thinning can be further divided into low thinning, crown thinning and systematic thinning is the row thinning. A good thinning requires a clear objective, a sharp axe and a cold heart. Objectives of thinning, however, vary with the growth potential and increase of net yield. Thinning type, intensity, thinning cycle and distribution of remaining trees are the main concerns in thinning practices.

NeemLife Plantatinon: Establishment of a Neem Plantation

2014-11-07T23:43:00.000+05:30

Abstract of the presentation of

Sashi Dayarathne

NeemLife Plantation is willing to establish a plantation in Horowpathana area which is located in Anuradhapura district by using Azadirachta indica as the species. Plantation extends to 25.5 ha and it is going to be carried out in three phases. The plantation is adding value to its premises by intercropping with chili as a cash crop. The vision of this plantation is to be the pioneers of supplying Neem raw material to the local and international Neem based manufacturers and their mission is to provide good quality Neem leaves, seeds, fruits, bark to the Neem product manufacturers and provide high quality, durable timber to the sawmills and furniture manufacturers.

When it comes to the A. indica it is one of the multipurpose trees available in the country which provide a path to the commercial industries like cosmetics, aurvedic and biopesticies. One of the best thing is that Neem does not require highly fertile soils, can be grown even in barren lands. It does not support, however, marshy or acid lands. The tree physiology requires temperature that varies between 8º and 40º C. The more hot and humid climate, the faster is the growth. And also for an economic exploration it must be planted on sites in which rainfall is in between 800 and 1,500 mm per year. In very favorable conditions, the Neem can reach 10 m height in eight years and 12 m in ten years, and produce fruit up to 60 kg per year by one tree. The Neem tree contains a thousand of chemical components. It is remarkable the occurrence of the so-called “Limonoids”, which are very rare. They appear in Neem in more than one hundred types.

Neem is going to be planted with 5x5 m spacing under plantation establishment. Therefore 400 Neem seedlings will be planted per ha and can be maintained by providing organic fertilizer and proper irrigation system. Thinning can be carried out two times in its plantation rotation. One is at the age of 10 when the mean top height is up to 10-15 m and other one is when the age is 25 where the mean top height is up to 20 m.The first flowering of trees occurs in the 4th year. The production of fruits starts with only 10 kg per tree (4.0 tons per ha), going up to 60 kg per tree (16.0 tons per ha) in the 10th year. Each tree produces 2 tons per year up to 7 tons per year of leaves, produce 60 m3 volume of timber per ha.

Plantation can be benefited by obtaining tradable carbon credits for removing CO2 from the atmosphere, according to the cycle of cutting and harvesting of the plantation to be considered within the concept of green carbon. The Neem plantation is indeed an interesting tool for promoting sustainable plantation in Sri Lanka while providing high return rates to investors and social development in rural areas. As it can support organic agriculture in large scale for removing agro toxic from the traditional agriculture.

An open-grown neem tree