Traditional Knowledge Applied to the Management of Small Tank Wetland Systems in Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
pp. 1385-1389
Author(s):  
Jayne Curnow ◽  
Sanjiv De Silva
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Small Tank

Sigiriya Rock

2019 ◽  
pp. 224-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagath Weerasinghe ◽  
Peter R. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Tourist Attraction ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Indigenous Heritage

This chapter critically discusses the current heritage management processes deployed at the Sigiriya World Heritage site in Sri Lanka, a significant tourist attraction. We examine the current condition of the site and the lack of involvement of the associated communities in its management. Through a series of inquiries among healers, artisans, and irrigation managers, new insights are gained into indigenous heritage values and meanings that are separated from heritage values assigned to Sigiriya. These insights compel an argument for the necessity to incorporate the ideas and opinions of the traditional knowledge keepers of the ancient villages in the vast forest land around Sigiriya. We end with suggesting a template arising out of local analyses for changing the management protocols at Sigiriya.

scholarly journals Strategies to improve water productivity in small tank system: a case study from Kurunegala district in Sri Lanka

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 684
Author(s):  
K.R. Thilakasiri ◽  
G.M.P. Kumara ◽  
L.W. Galagedara ◽  
M.I.M. Mowjood
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
System A ◽  
Tank System ◽  
Small Tank

scholarly journals Use Of Traditional Knowledge By Paddy Farming Communities Of Mahaulpatha In Polonnaruwa District In Sri Lanka

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Rekha Nianthi KWG ◽  
Madhushani LPHK
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Time Allocation ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Land Preparation ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Paddy Farmers ◽  
Survey Interviews

Traditional Knowledge (TK) also referred to as indigenous knowledge (IK) or local knowledge. During the ancient times, farmers practiced environment-friendly cultivation methods using their TK. In the past when the technology was not developed, TK was used effectively for agricultural activities in Sri Lanka. They acquired the TK by observing the natural phenomena, through their experiences and inheritance. The main objective of this study was to examine the use of traditional knowledge by paddy farming communities. How they used their traditional knowledge for land preparation, cultivation and harvesting? How they observed the weather and climate phenomena for their paddy cultivation, preparation, and harvesting?  The primary and secondary data were used for this study. A questionnaire survey, interviews, observations and photographing are used to obtain data and information. Mahaulpatha GN division is selected from Dimbulagala Division as the study area and 40 elderly paddy families have been selected for the survey. Data analysis has been done through various techniques. Sample survey revealed that 57% of the paddy farmers have been using the straw manures before planting but after sowing paddy seed, 100% of the farmers are used chemical fertilizers to get high productivity. 87% of the farmers use machinery system to prepare the paddy land because machinery is most efficient, and minimize the time allocation and labor cost. 26% farmers do their land preparation and harvesting activities trusting the prevailing rainfall patterns. Observing wind direction and behavior of plants and animals also added to their experiences. The IK which has been brought down from generation to generation has gradually been vanishing in the study area. Even though the chemical approach to pest control is only a short term solution, farmers know that the modern chemicals are not eco-friendly or favorable to them and their abiotic environment. Application of chemical pesticides gives immediate results for increasing their farm production. Based on the field experiences the small leaflet (Local language) was prepared and distributed among the paddy farmers to make aware the importance of the TK with the combination of modern technology. Even though the modern technology is more advanced when both the traditional knowledge and modern technology are combined the more benefits can be acquired to the paddy farming community.

Agricultural Sustainability and Traditional Agriculture: Learning from the Past and its Relevance to Sri Lanka

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Moles
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Welfare Loss ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
The Past ◽  
Applied Social Science

That contemporary understandings of agricultural systems are not leading to the solution of food and fiber deficiencies is not a new claim. Current interpretations of these problems seem not to make a difference in terms of policy and approach with a few notable exceptions. The failure to solve such problems can be viewed as resulting from epistemological difficulties. Given such difficulties, the position of applied social science can be recast in light of current needs of agricultural systems (i.e., environmental degradation, population growth, welfare, loss of traditional knowledge, etc.), with more active participation in setting policy and program priorities.

scholarly journals Use of Traditional Knowledge for Identification of Forest Degradation: A Case of Knuckles Range of Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Wide Range

Traditional Knowledge (TK) is an experiential knowledge built by people within a long duration and it extends in a wide range. This knowledge has been decaying with time and environmental degradation has become rapid. Finding the decaying traditional knowledge, analyzing its utility and using it for ecological restoration can be considered as heading towards a gap filling pertaining to researches. Even though, identification of forest degradation by applying TK in traditional societies is important in conservation of degraded forests, limited research have been undertaken relating to this research in Sri Lanka. With this limitation, the current study was focused to compile and classify the hidden traditional knowledge on forest conservation which has high level of utility in ecological restoration in Knuckles Range. Seven Grama Niladhrari Divisions out of 56 divisions laid in Knuckles range were selected as the study area using the multi-functional optimization equation and judgmental sampling method. Out of 346 families living in the study area, 120 families were selected by employing simple random sampling method. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, transect walks and observations while 11 group discussions have been made to verify and validate the TK of traditional farmers. Mainly qualitative data analysis methods were used and TK of forest degradation has been compared with the formal forest classifications. The study ascertained that the degradation of the forest cover has been covered by focusing to four main criteria as; a). Qualitative degradation (value of the plant, service done by the plant species to the environment and man.); b) Quantitative degradation (according to the size of the land where the degradation occurs and the number of trees that are being cut.); c). Physical condition of the plant (distribution of the tree and height, connection with the sunlight.) and d). Function of the plant system (interconnection between plants, interdependence between plants). Further, it was revealed that the traditional farmers in the study area had applied six different indigenous criteria to identify the forest degradation, namely; plant species, extent of the land use, location of the plant, change of the composition of the plant, decrease of the harvest and quality of the plants. Under each of criterion, different indigenous methods have been adopted for identifying degradation of plants and conservation of the plant species and rural agricultural systems. As an important finding of this research, it can be highlighted that the traditional methods used to find forests degradation in this research can be applied for identifying and minimizing the degradation of forests which cannot be seen in other areas in Sri Lanka. It was also identified that there is a high potential in those traditional methods with regard to securing the quality of the environment.

Traditional Knowledge used in Soil Taxonomy and Identifying Degradation: A Case Study in Knuckles Range, Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 106-129
Author(s):  
T. M. S. P. K. Thennakoon ◽  
R. N. Gamachchige
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Soil Classification ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Soil Taxonomy ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Local Soil

Traditional Knowledge is an experiential knowledge built by people within a long duration and this knowledge has been decaying with time. Traditional soil taxonomies or classifications are most important in the process of identifying soil degradation. Therefore, this study was focused to ascertain the traditional knowledge used in identification of soil erosion and classification of soil in the Knuckles range of Sri Lanka. Seven Grama Niladhrari Divisions out of 56 laid in Knuckles range were selected as the study area. Out of 346 families living in the study area, 120 families were selected by employing simple random sampling method. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, observations and transect walks while international and local soil classification methods were applied for scientific validation. In this study four (04) traditional methods used to classify the soil was identified. Based on 6 different indigenous criteria, three (03) main soil types and 15 sub soil types were identified. Further, types of components existing in each indigenous soil type were identified using a soil index which comprises of 16 type of materials while nine (09) soil samples and nine (09) soil profiles were scientifically validated through international and local soil classification. The traditional soil taxonomy found in this research can be applied for identifying and minimizing the degradation of soil and securing the quality of the environment. Comparative studies between the scientific and traditional science like this would expose and disseminate more and more possibilities on future studies.

scholarly journals Evolution, present status and issues concerning small tank systems in Sri Lanka [Small tanks in Sri Lanka: evolution, present status and issues]

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Rajendra Panabokke ◽  
Ramaswamy Sakthivadivel ◽  
A. Dias Weerasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Present Status ◽  
Small Tank
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