Kandyan Forest Gardens (KFGs) for Sustainable Development

The Kandyan Forest Gardens (KFGs) Has been a basis for not only the stable agricultural livelihood of the community living in Tropical hills of Sri Lanka but also for the maintenance of biodiversity and equilibrium of the environment in these regions for an excitedly long period. Over the last several decades various social, economic and political changes have caused transformation of these KFGs. The direct cause behind the above modifications was the forest conservation and management policies which implemented in this particular area. These policies were put into effect with a view to keep the peripheral community away from the forest yet without success. Those who made such policies were not mindful of thoughts, aspirations and the lifestyle of the community. This study tries to identify the potential KFGs have as a means of protecting the forest and their biodiversity on the one hand and by using the same as a community forestry management approach for the development of the community. It is a realization of the concept of sustainable development at the regional level.

Autorentext

Es licenciado en Geografía por la Universidad de Ruhuna (Sri Lanka). Posteriormente obtuvo un máster (MSc) por la Universidad de Agder, Noruega, y un máster (MSSc) por la Universidad de Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Profesor del Departamento de Geografía de la Universidad de Ruhuna, su principal campo de investigación es la geografía medioambiental.