A SURVEY OF OCCURRENCE AND SOME BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF RARE, INDIGENOUS AND MULTIPURPOSE TREE SPECIES IN DRY ZONE HOMEGARDENS IN MONERAGALA DISTRICT

Abstract

With the ever-increasing demand for timber resources more and more emphasis is placed on the forest plantations to bridge the gap between supply and demand. However the indigenous tree species are now getting more and more scarce as there is no concerted attempt to conserve and propagate them. The survey was designed with the objective of assessing the prevalence, biology and potential for planting indigenous, multipurpose tree species in dry zone homegardens. The project was conducted in Moneragala District. After a reconnaissance survey five traditional villages were selected; lllukpitiya, Dikyaya, Udagama, Mahagodayaya and Pettaganwela. 50 homegardens were selected randomly. The survey was carried out by a questionnaire survey,informal and formal interviews with homegardeners, village leaders etc. Through the questionnaire acquired information about the prevalence and ages of the tree species as well as people’s indigenous knowledge about growth rates of trees (approximately), flowering fruiting and harvesting seasons, harvesting patterns, age of 1st fruiting, uses of trees, religious beliefs towards these trees and their attitudes towards conservation of these species. The most important 12 indigenous tree species were selected by screening all the questionnaires, which occur rarely but provide multiple benefits as food, fodder, timber, fuelwood, medicine and ecological and environmental improvements. The results obtained from the survey indicate that is a 91.66% of willingness for planting these trees. Among the 50 homegardens 80% of homegardens contained Chloroxylon swietenia.Schleichera oleosa tree had the second highest occurrence of 70%. The presence of selected indigenous tree species was approximately 4 trees/ha and most of them are propagated naturally. The highest occurrence of indigenous tree species could be observed in lllukpitiya and the lowest in Dikyaya. The family monthly income was most being between Rs 1000-3000.Considering the education level of the people, 38% of the people had gone to school only up to year five. 4% had not gone to school at all. However, the prevalence of indigenous knowledge in these communities on the biology, uses was quite high and they had a good understanding about the need for conservation of these tree species.