THE SECONDARY FOREST SITUATION IN SRI LANKA: A REVIEW

• Published in: Journal of tropical forest science 2001-10, Vol.13 (4), p.768-785
• Main Author: Perera, G. A. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Deciduous forests; Forest cover; Forest management; Forest regeneration; Forest restoration; Old growth forests; Overview of secondary forest status and dynamics in different regions/countries across tropical Asia; Plantation forestry; Secondary forests; Tropical forests
• ISSN: 0128-1283

Most forests in Sri Lanka are secondary, are mostly confined to the dry and intermediate zones of the country, and arise out of swidden agriculture. The majority of secondary forests which regenerate after swidden farming in the dry parts of Sri Lanka are grown from vegetative parts, that is from remaining roots and stumps. Secondary forests provide numerous products of importance to local people. They also help to bridge seasonal gaps in livelihoods. Secondary forests of Sri Lanka are being disturbed or transformed by intensive cultivation, fire, the implementation of development projects, the establishment of plantations and by the construction of houses by the local people. Secondary forests in the dry parts of Sri Lanka could be managed as conservation areas for timber production or for multiple use. Regional climate, the ecology of secondary forests and anthropogenic pressures need to be considered when selecting suitable management options for a given site. Most of the secondary forests are heavily degraded and need to be rehabilitated. Intensification towards improved fallow systems or plantations is inhibited by poor site conditions, the threat of destruction by elephants, and insecure tenure. Kebanyakan hutan di Sri Lanka adaiah sekunder, terhad di zon kering dan sederhana negara tersebut, dan wujud akibat pertanian ladang. Majoriti hutan sekunder yang pulih selepas pertanian ladang di bahagian kering Sri Lanka tumbuh daripada bahagian vegetatif, iaitu akar dan tunggul yang masih tinggal. Hutan sekunder menyediakan banyak hasil keluaran yang pen ting kepada penduduk tempatan. Ia juga membantu sebagai mata pencarían antara musim. Hutan sekunder di Sri Lanka telah rosak atau diubah akibat penanaman intensif, kebakaran, pelaksanaan projek pembangunan, penubuhan ladang dan juga pembinaan rumah oleh penduduk tempatan. Hutan sekunder di kawasan kering di Sri Lanka dapat diuruskan sebagai kawasan pemuliharaan untuk pengeluaran balak atau untuk pelbagai kegunaan. Iklim, ekologi hutan sekunder dan tekanan antropogen perlu dipertimbangkan apabila memilih pengurusan yang sesuai untuk tapak yang diberikan. Kebanyakan hutan sekunder berkeadaan teruk dan perlu dipulihkan. Pengintensifan ke arah memperbaik sistem tanah bekas ladang terhalang oleh keadaan tapak yang teruk, ancaman pemusnahan oleh gajah, serta pemegangan yang tidak pasti.