Food security among indigenous people in Hennanigala and Dambana in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Climate change as a 'hunger-risk multiplier' is a significant factor of food security. One could think that the vedda people never experienced food problems or food insecurity. Therefore, the present study was carried out to find out the food security among Sri Lankan indigenous people living in Dambana and Hennanigala. Structured interviews and focused group discussions were used to collect primary data along with literature survey. Google satellite images, Arc GIS software and MS excel were used to perform *rpping and data analysis, respeitively. The scattered traditional life style of veddas has created the path of iood insecurity. Hennanigala has become more vulnerable for food insecurity than Dambana' The resettlement program has negatively affected for the second and third generations making them exposed to food insecurity due to their unawareness to adapt the agrarian economy in resettled area. Various socio-economic factors and government legislations have also created barriers to their traditional life style. Shifting cultivation was identified as the main source of foods in Dambana where the food security was rather higher than Hennanigala. Three to two meals per day could be identified which was about B6%o among Dambina vedda and this pattern of consumption have been limited mostly among children. Food availJility, forms of obtaining food, food accessibility, food consumptions, food stability have been significantly changed making food insecurity among veddda people. Therefore, strategic plans, awareness piog.r-, and livelihood approach were identiliecl as tools to enhance living standard of vedda in Dambana and Hennanigala.