Biological control. Rituals, 'kems' and similar practices were mainly meant to attract and
foster birds, the main biological agents in traditional agriculture. Offering to local deities in
the evenings, before commencement of cultivation, consisted of a standard mixture of roasted
pulse, food, flowers and many lighted oil lamps. The lamps attracted insects. The food and
pulse attracted birds, and reduced the insect population before the cultivation. Big trees and
wooded highland were allowed to stand around the paddy tract and threshing floors, to
provide nesting and resting places for birds. Common orchards were established for birds. A
section of the paddy field closer to highland or jungle was reserved for birds. It was called
'Kurulupalussa', meaning bird damage. These practices helped to attract birds, and provided
food for them. When pest appeared certain 'kems' were performed (a kem is a practice in
which the underlying principle was not explicitly explained to the people; it is possible that
this may be due to religious influence which strictly prohibits killing). A kem performed when
a paddy swarming caterpillar appeared is as follows. At sunset, an offering of food and light is
placed on an unstable plantain disk fitted to a stake. The light attracts the birds in the evening.
When birds at tempt to perch, the food falls, and in going after the food, the birds observe the
caterpillars. In two days, complete control is possible. Here too birds are used. Control of rats
too was performed in a similar manner. The big trees served as perches for nocturnal flying
bats and birds like owls. Coconut fonds, big end up, were planted in fields. The silhouette
resembled an owl; the idea was to frighten rats. But in fact owls perched on these coconuts
and looked for rats . Another device is made of two bamboo segments and
operated by flowing water
foster birds, the main biological agents in traditional agriculture. Offering to local deities in
the evenings, before commencement of cultivation, consisted of a standard mixture of roasted
pulse, food, flowers and many lighted oil lamps. The lamps attracted insects. The food and
pulse attracted birds, and reduced the insect population before the cultivation. Big trees and
wooded highland were allowed to stand around the paddy tract and threshing floors, to
provide nesting and resting places for birds. Common orchards were established for birds. A
section of the paddy field closer to highland or jungle was reserved for birds. It was called
'Kurulupalussa', meaning bird damage. These practices helped to attract birds, and provided
food for them. When pest appeared certain 'kems' were performed (a kem is a practice in
which the underlying principle was not explicitly explained to the people; it is possible that
this may be due to religious influence which strictly prohibits killing). A kem performed when
a paddy swarming caterpillar appeared is as follows. At sunset, an offering of food and light is
placed on an unstable plantain disk fitted to a stake. The light attracts the birds in the evening.
When birds at tempt to perch, the food falls, and in going after the food, the birds observe the
caterpillars. In two days, complete control is possible. Here too birds are used. Control of rats
too was performed in a similar manner. The big trees served as perches for nocturnal flying
bats and birds like owls. Coconut fonds, big end up, were planted in fields. The silhouette
resembled an owl; the idea was to frighten rats. But in fact owls perched on these coconuts
and looked for rats . Another device is made of two bamboo segments and
operated by flowing water
