The story of bamboo craft

Rukmal Salgado

A UNDP project funded by the ‘Small Grants Project’ of the ‘Global Environment Facility’ (SGP/GEF)

The bamboo (Ochlandra Stridula) craft industry is part and parcel of the social fabric of the villages of Batuwita, Kimangoda, Batuwitta Janasaviya, Kahagala South and Urapola in the Matara district. The bamboo industry is a traditional family industry in the area implemented at grassroot level. These forest dependent villagers lead relatively isolated lives and practise indigenous customs unique to their rural way of life.

Despite the seemingly peaceful, picturesque and idyllic rural scenario interwoven around the 200 year old craft industry, one cannot ignore the threats posed by the traditional bamboo craft industry to the Masmulla forest.

Biodiversity of the Masmulla forest (about 863 hectares) in the Matara district is threatened by the traditional craft industry.

Bamboo (Ochlandra stridula) and Innipetta (Cyathocalyx zeylanica) the essential raw material for the craft, are obtained from the forest to produce winowing fans, boxes, baskets and flower trays. Regular felling of bamboo trees and other plants from the forest has pose a threat to its biodiversity.

Other factors are encroachment, over exploitation of forest resources, illegal timber felling, chena cultivation and the rising population. The villagers are dependant on the forest for sustenance and economic survival. Due to the gradual depletion of natural resources in the forest, the only source of income of the villagers is threatened.

The ‘Small Grant project’ of the ‘Global Environment Facility’ (SGP/GEF) of UNDP has taken a pioneering initiative to preserve and protect the biodiversity of the Masmulla forest. In an effort to arrest further destruction to the Masmulla forest, the Wanasarana Thurulatha Society, carried out activities such as cultivation of ‘inipetta’, promotion of sustainable use of non-timber forest products, watershed protection and protection of endemic flora species.

The project has made significant contribution to environmental and biodiversity conservation, in addition to strengthening the rural community life through participatory forest management creating a link with villagers.

The ‘Wanasarana Thurulatha Voluntary Society’ of Matara has introduced some durable and sustainable solutions to arrest forest destruction. For an instance a legal permit system for bamboo felling was successfully implemented. Villagers now obtain the bamboo plants in a systematic manner on permits, and with the supervision of forest officers to minimize environmental damage.

Another initiative of the project to conserve the biodiversity of forest is the planting of a fence of 5,000 ‘Kithul’ (Caryota urens) and ‘arecanut’ (Areca catachou) saplings along the boundary to control encroachment. In addition, over 5,000 endemic plant species (Garcinia Quaesita, Palaquia spp., Zeylanica, Mimosoups Eleingii, Mangifera) were planted, under the guidance of the Forest Department. The plant nurseries are maintained by the villagers. Villagers have formed vigilante committees to investigate and report forest offences and to assist Forest Officers to initiate action.

Secretary of the ‘Wanasarana Society’ Piyatissa explained the benefits of alternative income generating activities introduced by the project. The home garden development has resulted in improved livelihoods options and better living standards for the rural community. Villagers are encouraged to find alternate livelihoods and refrain from timber felling and other destructive forest offences.

The gender focus is a prominent and positive feature in the traditional craft industry. About 90 percent of the products are woven by women. Modern varieties of craft products are introduced through skill development workshops and capacity building initiatives.

Finished craft products are displayed at exhibitions in cities and provinces and sold at sale centres across the country, even in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Several measures have been implemented for the qualitative and quantitative improvement of bamboo products. The provision of four wood working machines to community centres has significantly improved the qualitative component of the finished craft products that now fetch a higher market price. The involvement of youth in the industry is consciously targeted to ensure continuous interest in the industry.

The project has emphasized capacity building and skill development of villagers to bring in new products to suit the modern market and needs. The local demand for traditional domestic craft has increased, resulting in a 30 percent increase in the production from 2006.

Selected villagers received skills training. Consequently, the villagers have introduced new designs and colour scheme which now adorn the traditional craft products. New products were introduced to cater to the needs of the tourist industry. Lamp shades and vases sold to hotels in the area.

Piyatissa, said he has concerns over the sustainability of industry, despite the qualitative and quantitative improvement of crafts.

However, he is pleased that the influx of cheap plastic items are posing a lesser threat to bamboo craft, as natural, environment-friendly products are gaining popularity in the domestic markets.

A streamlined marketing strategy encompassing expanded markets is a necessity to ensure a better profit margin for the villagers. Substitutes for Inipetta such as Alastonia macrophylla and Grilicidia sepium are being tested.

Through his experience in implementing participatory forest management policies, Piyatissa strongly advocates adherence to environmental regulatory policies and minimal and rational use of forest resources to minimize further ecological destruction. This is indeed a vital lesson for us in our efforts to conserve existing natural resources.