Download Example of best practices and available tools for the use of

Example of best practices and available tools
for the use of indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices for adaptation 1
Inputs provided by:
United Nations University – Institute for Sustainability and Peace
UNU Center, 53-70, Jingumae 5-chome, Shibuya-ku 150-8925, Tokyo, Japan
Title of practice/tool
Practice:
1. Traditional irrigation systems, Sri Lanka
2. Rice terraces – Hani, China
3. Rice terraces - Ifugao, Philippines
Tools:
1. Mosaic system for joining modern and traditional irrigation systems to improve production
and resilience
2. Eco-system based adaptation strategies for enhancing resilience of rice terrace farming
systems against climate change
Description of practice/tool
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1
The ancient irrigation systes have been build from the 5th century BC to 12th century AD for
17 centuries For example the medium size Basavakkulama tank with a water spread of 107 ha
was build around 300 BC. The main features of the systems are (a) the Sustainability (b) Evolution
and development of the systems
over a long period of time and (c) Technological innovation,
macro-micro integration of systems and governance systems that are made them feasible. On the
other hand modern irrigation systems are efficient, facilitates improvements in livelihoods through
uninterrupted rice production. However they are less resilient to changes in climate and
governance structures and decrease cultural and bio diversity. By developing mosaic structures of
the traditional and modern, it is possible to develop systems that are resilient to shocks and at the
same time improve livelihoods of farmers.
Hani rice terraces in China and Ifugao rice terraces in Philippine are world-renowned rice
terraces identified as cultural heritage landscapes. Climate change brings in new dimension of
continuous changes to water cycle that would be beyond the regulating capacity of current
systems. The tool addresses dual challenges of both excessive runoff and water scarcity due
to climate change by providing eco-system based adaptation measures to strengthen
resilience of traditional rice terrace farming systems in Hani and Ifugao to cope with climate
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change. The main adaptation measures are the water storage and infiltration facilities that
enhance ground water recharge to reduce drying up and subsequent collapse of rice terraces.
Such facilities also reduces excessive runoff to reduce damage to rice farms from
Region
Asia-pacific
Country
Sri Lanka, China, Philippines
Sector
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Food security, agriculture and fisheries
Forestry
Mountains
Water resources
Name of implementing institution/s
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP), Tokyo, Japan.
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Irrigation department, Sri Lanka
School of Tourism and Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China.
National Hydraulic Research Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines.
Further information
http://www.apn-gcr.org/resources/items/show/1594#.Ue9_YCSmqUk
http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/enhancing-indigenous-knowledge-in-rice-terraces/
Contact details
Dr. Srikantha Herath
Senior Academic Programme Officer
United Nations University – Institute for Sustainability and Peace
UNU Center, 53-70, Jingumae 5-chome, Shibuya-ku 150-8925, Tokyo, Japan
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +81 (0)3-5467-1290