Browsing by Author "Padmalal, U. K. G. K."

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    Assessment of the relationship between rainfall patterns and human-elephant conflict in Nochchiyagama and Vanathavilluwa, Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Kalanika, G. I.; Rajapaksha, R. D. T.; Dahanayaka, D. D. G. L.; Padmalal, U. K. G. K.; Wijeyaratne, W. M. D. N.
    Wilpattu National Park (WNP), the largest and oldest national park in Sri Lanka, spans across eight Divisional Secretariats (DS), where Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) remains a significant concern. This research investigates the HEC in areas surrounding WNP and examines its correlation with rainfall patterns. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Nochchiyagama, the most densely populated of the eight DS divisions, to capture farmers’ perspectives on HEC. The HEC data were collected from the Department of Wildlife Conservation from 2015 to 2022 across the eight DS divisions and the highrisk and low-risk areas were identified. Additionally, rainfall data of Nochchiyagama and Vanathavilluwa DS divisions from 2015 to 2022 were examined to explore any potential relationship between rainfall and HEC incidents. Findings indicated that Cheddikulam and Karuwalagaswewa are high-risk divisions for HEC, while Rajanganaya is the lowest risk division. According to the survey, 71.3% of respondents believe that elephants invade villages searching for food where 45.5% of total responses indicate that coconut is the most attractive crop to elephants. Mangoes were the second most preferred crop (36.4%), followed by Kurakkan and paddy (26.4% each), and pumpkin, corn, and sugarcane (22.3%, 19.8%, and 16.5%, respectively). All respondents were familiar with elephant repellent methods, with "ali Vedi" being the most prominent. Additionally, 47.2% of respondents suggested establishing an electric fence to minimize conflict, while constructing ditches and using shotguns were recommended by 30.4% and 22.4% of respondents, respectively. Rainfall patterns in Nochchiyagama and Vanathavilluwa showed minor variations, with January-March and JuneSeptember being relatively dry periods, and March-June and September-December being rainy months. Despite 56% of survey respondents indicating that elephant incursions predominantly occur during the dry season, statistical analysis (Spearman test, p = 0.260, p = 0.347) found no significant correlation between HEC and rainfall in either division over the study period. In summary, while the study highlights areas and crops most affected by HEC and identifies community-preferred mitigation strategies, no significant correlation was found between rainfall patterns and HEC incidents. Although there is no direct relationship between rainfall and HEC, the HEC is influenced by the other proximate factors related with food availability which are in turn affected by the rainfall. Therefore, there might be an indirect relationship between rainfall and HEC in Nochchiyagama and Vanathavilluwa. Further research is recommended to confirm this idea and investigate seasonal variations in elephant movements and behaviors in other areas surrounding WNP to develop more effective mitigation strategies.
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    Environmental issues associated with the environmental protection area of Thalangama tank in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.
    (International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2017 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Radhika, N. M. L.; Padmalal, U. K. G. K.
    Thalangama tank is considered as one of “the shelters for animals and plants inhabiting in and around the city of Colombo” of Sri Lanka, and declared as an Environmental Protection Area (EPA) in 2007. It was built by the great king Parakramabahu VI and is a unique remnant of the historic past. At the time of the survey (June and May, 2009), this valuable wetland was under threat due to the various activities. This study was carried out with the objective of studying the environmental issues associated with the EPA of Thalangama tank. During this study, a pre-tested questionnaire was adopted to gather socio-economic data from the villagers and field visits were also conducted for two months. Five major environmental issues have been highlighted at five locations of EPA. The selected locations were the boundary of Depa Ela, Northern and Eastern boundaries of Thalangama tank, connecting canal of Thalangama tank and Ewarihena wewa and North-Western and Northern boundaries of Ewarihena wewa. The major environmental issues identified were spreading of invasive plant species (Annona glabra, Eichhornia crassipes), improper disposal of solid wastes, water pollution, inappropriate visitor use and poor community participation in environmental management. The ranking system of the issues was consisted of six levels according to the severity of the issue as very low, low, moderate, moderately high, high, and extremely high. Spreading of invasive plant species was extremely high along the North-western and Northern boundaries of Ewarihena wewa, high along the Eastern boundary of the tank and along the boundary of Depa Ela, moderately high along the connecting canal, and moderate along the Northern boundary of the tank. Improper disposal of solid wastes was moderately high along the Eastern boundary and the North-Western and Northern Boundaries of Ewarihena wewa, moderate along the boundary of Depa Ela, the Northern boundary of the tank and along the connecting canal. Water pollution was high along the boundary of Depa Ela, moderately high along the Eastern boundary of the tank, connecting canal and the North-Western and Northern boundary of Ewarihena wewa, but moderate along the Northern boundary of the tank. Improper visitor use was moderately high along the Eastern boundary, moderate along the Northern boundary, low along the connecting canal and along the North-Western and Northern boundary of Ewarihena wewa, but not prominent along the boundary of Depa Ela. Issues arisen due to poor community participation was high along the North-Western and Northern boundary of Ewarihena wewa, moderately high along the Eastern boundary of the tank, and moderate along the boundary of Depa Ela, along the Northern boundary of the tank and along the connecting canal. Therefore, strong sectorial coordination is required to strengthen the village wetland management committee to get the maximum community participation to protect the natural resources of the EPA of Talangama tank in a sensible way.