Sri Lanka - Nisansala Maduwanthi (Madu) - 2018 Graduate
Asia Lanka Social Development Cooperation (ALSDC)
submitted by Ninansala Maduwanthi (Madu), September 2019
Planting Multifunctional Trees
After ARI I started a new friends group in my village. I suggested during the meeting time to plant special trees beside the river dam to protect it from erosion. We did our project last 13th of September. We could succeed.
https://gyazo.com/767d40c89e3c62b53f308bbb51b9a568
Heading to the river for tree planting
Kumbuk Tree
We planted Kumbuk Tree (in English - Arjun Tree) around 100.
Importance of the tree:
In the ecosystem, the Kumbuk tree plays a very important role by affording protection to the banks of rivers with their root systems. The tree is also planted near wells to clean the water. The Kumbuk can often be seen lining river banks throughout the country.
https://gyazo.com/1134a6105a07d97dc372067d35c5f6c9 https://gyazo.com/9d4353d7ceb08689927be8f0cdd3a93f
Carrying tree seedlings to the riverside / Youth planting a seedling / Mee Tree
We planted Mee Trees (scientific name - Madhuca longifolia) around 30.
Importance of this tree:
It is cultivated in warm and humid regions for its oleaginous seeds (producing from 20 to 200 kg of seeds annually per tree, depending on maturity), flowers and wood. The fat (solid at ambient temperature) is used for the care of the skin, to manufacture soap or detergents, and as a vegetable butter. It can also be used as a fuel oil. The seed cake obtained after extraction of oil constitute very good fertilizer. The flowers are used to produce an alcoholic drink in tropical India. This drink is also known to affect the animals. Several parts of the tree, including the bark, are used for their medicinal properties. It is considered holy by many tribal communities because of its usefulness.
https://gyazo.com/570bb134ebdcad9b0c337b9908abcabc
Madu (in polka dot shorts) and her "friends group"
We will not stop from this activity. We will work for the society as much as we can. Thank you very much for ARI to give good leadership skills and deep feelings about society.