The building in which you live with your parents and other family members is called the house. Most probably, your house may be located in an urban, estate or a rural environment with physical features such as highlands, coastal belts, plains or lowlands, slopes, rivers and forests.
Observe the houses located in different environments in figure 2.1
Wherever your house is located, it is your duty and responsibility to protect the land. Even when beautifying the environment around the house, it should be done carefully. The land should not be misused.
Plant and Animal Diversity
Due to plant and animal diversity, different environments are created in the immediate surroundings of the house. Diverse kinds of plants and animals exist in various eco-systems in Sri Lanka because of the nature of land and climatic conditions. Plants are very useful for the existence of living beings. If you are living in a rural environment, you may find plants in abundance. Eventhough you live in an urban environment, you can beautify the immediate surroundings of your house by growing plants. When selecting plants, you should consider not only their beauty but also whether they are suitable for the environment and the health of the man.
The species of animals that live facing the challenges of the hot sun, rain, threats from enemies and diseases are also a part of our environment. Animal community is also important for the existence of man.
You may have noticed some special kinds of birds in the environment of your house during certain periods of the year. Some species of birds are found only in a particular period. The singing of the koha bird or the Asian koel during the season of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is familiar to you.
Sometimes, we see some birds migrating to our country during the winter season as they are unable to bear the coldness there. Those birds are migrant birds. Indian Pitta, Paradise fly catcher (Sudu Redi Hora) and Sivuru Hora are examples for migrant birds.
Human Activities in the Immediate Surroundings of Your School / House
Identification of the Community in the Immediate Surroundings of Your School /House
There may be families in your community that belong to various ethnic groups and religious groups. They may be Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher or Malay. They may follow different religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism and Islam. There are traditions and rituals linked to those ethnic and religious groups. Although there are many differences, they are your neighbours. Therefore, we should learn to live with them in co-operation.For example working with unity in sports activities, in various associations and in welfare activities without considering the ethnicity and the religion.
Economic Activities of the People in the Immediate Surroundings of Your School
Economic activities of the area depend on the resources found in the area. Among them agricultural, industrial and service sectors play a major role.
Agricultural Activities
Fishing industry, livestock farming and cultivation of crops are carried out under land utilization in different parts of Sri Lanka. Various parts of our country consist of different topographical and climatic features. Accordingly, specific agricultural activities are conducted in those areas. See figure 2.5.
People in your area may have cultivated various crops according to the nature of the land. For example, cultivation of coconut on the plains, paddy cultivation in river valleys, tea and rubber cultivation in hilly areas.
If your area is located close to a sea, a river, a reservoir or a tank, fisheries industry may be the main occupation of people. Similarly, there may be some people who engage in livestock farming like rearing of cattle, pigs or poultry as their occupation.
Industrial Activities
Apart from the agricultural industry, there may be industries which use raw materials found in your area. For example, the furniture available in your home may be the products of the timber found in the immediate surroundings of your home. There could also be pots, tiles and bricks made using clay and flower pots and bricks produced using cement.
In most of the areas, various industries are carried out using the natural resources found in that area. Small scale domestic industries are also spread all over Sri Lanka. Production of sweet meats, products related to rice flour, sewing garments and coir products are examples for those industries.
There are places which are famous for industries based on traditional technological skills in our country. See Table 2.1.
Services
There are many economic activities found in the immediate surroundings of your school and home. The services provided by the institutions are also important. There are services such as health, education, postal, transport, banking and security in your area as well as in other areas. Several such services are shown in figure 2.7.
Some of these services are provided by the government free of charge and some are provided by the private sector.
There are services provided by the government at a concessionary price too. Issuing season tickets in transportation and providing medicines at a concessionary price at ‘Osu Sala’ are examples.
These services are important for the people in the area to maintain their day to day living.
Some people in your area may be engaged in providing these services. If they are engaged in agricultural, industrial sectors or providing a service utilizing their manual labour, they render a great social service. Similarly, people who are engaged in various professions contribute in many ways that are possible for them to build the society.
