Browsing by Author "Danasekara, D.R.A.K."

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Impacts of human activities on soil erosion: A case study in Wewere GND, in Minipe DSD
(Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Danasekara, D.R.A.K.; Amarasinghe, A.G.
Human activities influence heavily on soil erosion in Sri Lanka. Soil erosion in rural areas is high, due to various human activities. Wewere GND is selected for this study as there was high consumption of land for agriculture in Kandy district. The main objective of this study is to identify the human activities which accelerate the natural process of soil erosion and provide the solution to conserve soil erosion. The methodology of the research was a mixedmethod under the holistic approach. Hence to achieve the target, Wewere GND was divided into 7 land units according to the types of human activities in the area and obtained 1 kg of soil from each land unit through the simple random sampling method. Further, experiments were conducted in the laboratory and the final results were analyzed. The results were represented with maps using Arc GIS and charts, graphs, tables using MS Excel. 100g of soil from each soil samples were taken, 2mm sieved each sample and obtained 2 fractions to determine their particle sizes. The fraction which is more than 2mm (+2mm) is selected as the results of each sample. Sub forest represented 4.82 %, crop cultivation represented 41.36% of soil particles(+2mm). The result substantiated high soil erosion was represented in crop cultivation (41.36%) due to the human activity and less was represented in sub forest (4.82 %). The mismanagement of land, proper soil conservation measures are not being adopted to the villagers, improper land use and less knowledge are the causes of accelerated soil erosion in Wewere GND. Vegetative methods, structural methods, management practices, and awareness programs should be executed to the conservation of soil erosion in the research area. The management of agricultural systems must be carried on the sustainable approach and related authorities should pay attention to minimize soil erosion.
Study the most influential factors of human- peacock conflicts in rural areas in Sri Lanka; A case study in Wewere GND, in Kandy District.
(Department of Social Statisctics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2020) Danasekara, D.R.A.K.
The peacock is an omnivorous animal which is already identified as the top agro- pest in Sri Lanka. As a conserved wildlife species, peacocks are usually found outside forest reservations since they get their food requirement fulfilled through grains and small insects in the agricultural fields. There has been a huge increase in peacock populations over the past five years in Sri Lanka. However, farmers in the study area are suffering as the peacock attacks on their crops damaging the produce. Wewere GND is selected for this study as there was high consumption of land for agriculture in Kandy District. The main object of this research is to identify the most influential factors of human – peacock conflict in the study area. The methodology of the research was a mixed method under the human – ecological approach. Random sampling method used to collect primary data from 30 farmers in study area. Google Earth pro and Arc GIS 10.5 software used to analyze the land cover changes in the Wewere GND. The results were represented with maps, charts, graphs, tables using MS Excel. The results revealed that the most influential factor to this problem is reducing the land cover due to the mismanagement of the land. Lack of predators for peacocks and, the religious-cultural aspects based with peacocks increase the peacock population. The management of agricultural system must be carried on the sustainable approach and related authorities should pay attention to minimize the severe problem.