Dr. Ranil Senanayake

March 28, 2022 Global Earth Repair

Father of Analog Forestry – Sri Lanka

Dr. Ranil Senanayake, popularly known as the “Snake Man,” is the nephew of the first ever Prime Minister in Sri Lanka, and the man who in 1981 revived “organic” farming in a small but powerful way. Already a world-renowned environmentalist, Senananake’s passion for traditional organic farming led him to transplant his expertise in Africa and South America back to his homeland. There, he took a degraded tea estate in Mirahawatta, Bandarawella and transformed it into “analog forestry,” a concept of ecological restoration which mimics natural forests to create socio-economically productive, wholesome and self-sustaining landscapes. His original 17-acre forest now boasts of sustainable organic farming along with lush, magnificent tree cover.

A complex and holistic form of “silviculture,” Analog Forestry focuses on fostering ecological function, while minimizing external chemical influence, including the use pesticides and motorized tools for mitigation. Since its inception, this method has “taken root” in over 13 countries! The general idea is that in order to most efficiently and lastingly reforest a plot of land, one must observe the plant and tree species that grew there naturally, then nurture and/or replenish those species in a way analogous to the original growth. This method seeks to mimic nature rather than follow a man-made pattern.

Senanayake’s original 17-acre model analog forest in Sri Lanka (now over 40 years, established) actively demonstrates that the restoration and protection of rainforests and natural resources is compatible with the economic wellbeing of rural communities. Currently, Sri Lanka has one of the highest recorded rates of primary forest destruction in the world and has lost its closed-canopy forest cover from about 84% in 1881 to about 26.6% (as of 2010). This has mostly been due to the conversion of forests to other types of land use; human settlements, crop plantations, and agricultural activities.

Dr. Senanayake is the Chairman of EarthRestoration, a conservation initiative that focuses on “primary ecosystem services” (PES), which is building natural sustainable habitats that provide humans the most primary ecosystemic needs; oxygen, clean water, and fixed carbon. He has also created the Belipola Arboretum, a man-made forest where ecological ideas like analog forestry are practiced in experimental, experiential ways

Book: Analog Forestry as an Art Form (PDF)
Article: “The Altar On Which We Sacrifice Our Children”