The Forest Department appointed a committee in 1992 to recommend suitable species for reforestation programmes. Concurrently, a new emphasis was given to tree improvement in the early 1990s. Teak was considered as the highest priority species considering its importance as a high value as furniture timber with relatively fast growth and the fact that it is the most popular species among private tree growers. Other major species identified were Swietenia macrophylla, Acacia auriculiformis, Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus grandis, E. microcorys and E. tereticornis. Three indigenous species, namely Albizia odorotissima, Melia dubia and Pterocarpus marsupium were identified for ex situ conservation. Appendixes 2-4 provide more information on priority species for Sri Lanka.
In addition to the species identified for conservation under the Medicinal Plant Project, other important indigenous species that have been identified for gene pool conservation are Albizia odoratissima, Melia dubia and Pterocarpus marsupium. Some of these tree species are at the present found only in home gardens while others are confined to a few remaining natural habitats and their natural regeneration is threatened due to various factors. Therefore, it has been recommended to establish ex situ conservation stands for these three species. Activities proposed and initiated under this programme include:
• Explore and document natural occurrences. Select 10-20 locations throughout the natural range in Sri Lanka, where groups of trees of these species occur and collect seeds from about 200 trees per location (These trees should be sufficiently apart from each other to minimize collecting seeds from close relatives).
• Mix equal quantities of seeds from each tree to form a bulk seed lot.
• Plant out 10-15 ha at two to three locations. These plantations will be ex situ conservation stands and base populations for breeding work. These also can be used as seed production areas.
