IPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Please submit this form along with your case study. We ask that you keep your responses here asconcise as possible. This information will be posted on the IPSI website unless otherwise requested.
Please inform the IPSI Secretariat if there are any responses you would not like made public.

Basic Information
Title of case study (should be concise and within approximately 25 words)
Innovative approaches of the GMSL to harmonize the Human-Environment Interface (HEI) in the Knuckles
Conservation Forest (KCF) and its environs
Submitting IPSI member organization(s)Green Movement of Sri Lanka Inc.

Other contributing organization(s) (IPSI members and/or non-members)
Not applicableAuthor(s) and affiliation(s)Arjuna Seneviratne, Chief Technical Advisor, Green Movement of Sri Lanka Inc.
Format of case study (manuscript or audiovisual) Manuscript
Language
EnglishKeywords (3-5 key concepts included in the case study)
Innovation in harmonizing the human-environment interface, amalgamating traditional knowledge withmodern science, re-lensing of concept of community and concept of rights
Date of submission (or update, if this is an update of an existing case study)
14th May 2023
https://gmsl.lk/colibri/,
Web link (of the case study or lead organization if
https://restor.eco/platform/organizations/8fd02d29-c845-45edavailable for more information)
91d2-d43346ea8630/sites/

Geographical Information
Country (where site(s) or activities described in the case study are located – can be multiple, or even “global”)
Sri Lanka
Location(s) (within the country or countries – leave blank if specific location(s) cannot be identified)
Knuckles Conservation Forest (KCF) and its environs in Kandy and Matale Districts of the Central Province
Latitude/longitude or Google Maps link (if location is identified)
The area is comparatively big. The intervention maps may be found at the restor.eco link above
Ecosystem(s) (please place an “x” in all appropriate boxes)
Forestx
GrasslandxAgriculturalx
In-land waterx
CoastalDryland x
Mountainx
Urban/peri-urban
Other (Please specify)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area (within 50 words)
The KCF is a world heritage site and home to some of the richest bio-assets in Sri Lanka that is vulnerable toanthropogenic activity. There are many older communities living within the reaches of the KCF. Primary
livelihood is farming where most engaged in environment damaging, reductionist, input driven agriculture
Description of human-nature interactions in the area (land-use, traditional resource management practices etc. – within 50words)

Older settlements lived in comparative harmony with nature. However, with the introduction of agrochemicals, the foodproduction culture changed, community members were disenfranchised of shared commons and were forced to resort to“illegal” activity within the KCF. This created significant tensions and torques among all stakeholders and claimholders.

Contents
Note: The following fields are used for information about activities described in the case study or the production of the case study itself,and contents may vary depending on the nature of the case study. For example, a case study about on-the-ground activities may include
the rationale, objectives etc. for the activities; a case study about a SEPLS-related policy may describe the policymaking process; or acase study describing a SEPLS may address particular practices used there. Please make an effort to fill as many fields as possible.

Status (“ongoing” or “completed”)

CompletedPeriod (MM/YY to MM/YY)

December 2020 December 2022

Rationale (why activities or policies described, or information shared in the case study are needed – within 50 words)
The case study is an exposition of the GMSL’s innovative approach to harmonizing the human-environment
interface. Its river basin approach, whole-of-community treatment, score-card analysis are all new in Sri Lanka
but could be replicated anywhere. Additionally, it amalgamated Indigenous Knowledge with Modern Science.
Objectives (goals of activities or policies described, or of producing the case study – within 50 words)
The study is not on the intervention itself but rather on the approaches. The objective was to expose those
approaches to any who are interested. However, in order to expand on treatment impacts, a short video donein May 2022 is also linked within the case study.
Activities and/or practices employed (within 50 words)▪
▪

Redesign of the COLIBRI project across natural river basins instead of administrative boundaries
Application of the SCORE-CARD method for data extraction from the community▪ Reintroduction of traditional farming practices to KCF communities
Results (within 50 words)▪ Over seventy years of community experience and remembrances on farming practices, cultural practices
were identified through SCORE-CARD.
▪ Whole-of-community approach vested project ownership fully with the community.
▪ A fresh, look at the problems associated with linear rights based approaches yielded the fact that the onlyuseable rights were community rights.
Lessons learned (factors in success or failure, challenges and opportunities – within 40 words)▪ River basin approach was significantly successful and sustainability beyond PLC was assured.
▪ SCORE-CARD requires elaboration to pull in more measurable data.
▪ Full exposition of lessons may be found at https://gmsl.lk/cest-fini/Key messages (within 40 words)
When considering large swath commons it is imperative that everything and everyone in that terrain is treated
if human beings and nature are to be balanced.
Relationship to other IPSI activities (if the case study is related to any other IPSI collaborative activities, case studies, etc.)
Not applicable.
Funding (any relevant information about funding of activities or projects described in the case study)
The COLIBRI project was funded by the European Union.

Contributions to Global Agendas
CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
Please place an “x” in the “direct” or “indirect” boxes next to any of the CBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets to which the work describedin this case study contributes as appropriate. Note: please mark only those that the case actually has made or is making acontribution, not those to which it could make a potential contribution in the future.
TargetDescription
DirectIndirectBy 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take toconserve and use it sustainably.

✓By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and localdevelopment and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated
into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems.

✓By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated,phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives forthe conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and inharmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking into accountnational socio economic conditions.
By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps toachieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept theimpacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits.
By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and wherefeasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced.

✓✓

By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably,
legally and applying ecosystem based approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans
and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on
threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species andecosystems are within safe ecological limits.
By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuringconservation of biodiversity.

By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has been brought to levels that are not
detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity.

By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species arecontrolled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent theirintroduction and establishment.
By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems
impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity
and functioning.

✓✓✓By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine
areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, areconserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and wellconnected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, andintegrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.

✓By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation
status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.

By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and ofwild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, ismaintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion
and safeguarding their genetic diversity.
By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, andcontribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into accountthe needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable.
By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has beenenhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent ofdegraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and tocombating desertification.

✓✓✓✓

By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharingof Benefits Arising from their Utilization is in force and operational, consistent with nationallegislation.

✓By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced
implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and actionplan.
By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities
relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of
biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international
obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with thefull and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.
By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values,functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared andtransferred, and applied.
By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial resources for effectively implementing theStrategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and in accordance with the consolidatedand agreed process in the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, should increase substantially fromthe current levels. This target will be subject to changes contingent to resource needs assessments
to be developed and reported by Parties.

✓✓✓✓

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)
Please place an “x” in the “direct” or “indirect” boxes next to any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to which the work
described in this case study contributes as appropriate. Note: please mark only those that the case actually has made or is making acontribution, not those to which it could make a potential contribution in the future.
SDG
DescriptionDirectIndirectEnd poverty in all its forms everywhere✓

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainableagriculture✓

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages✓

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls✓

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all✓

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment, and decent work for all✓

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, andfoster innovation
Reduce inequality within and among countries✓

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns✓

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts✓

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, andhalt biodiversity loss
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide accessto justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership forsustainable development✓✓