Browsing by Author "Weerasinghe, H.W.G.A.S."

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Are human-modified land-uses important for avifaunal conservation or not? An example from Karanketiya, Rakwana, Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Weerasinghe, H.W.G.A.S.; Panagoda, P.A.B.G.; Panagoda, P.A.S.U.
Improving conservation value of human-altered landscapes would be of massive importance, in years to come. The present study intended to assess the contribution of such landscapes in aid of conservation of avifauna. Abundance, species richness, species heterogeneity, evenness and composition of bird communities were analyzed on line transects during three months, including the migratory season, in three different land-use types namely, proposed reserved forest, tea estate and home gardens in Karanketiya, Rakwana. Total of 87 bird species including 79 residents with 15 endemics and 8 migrants were recorded. Species richness and total abundance per transect of three types of land-uses are significantly different (p<0.05, ANOVA). Species richness (n=68) was highest in tea estate while species heterogeneity (H’=3.612) and evenness (J’=0.872) were highest in home gardens. Percentage of endemic birds (25.6%) and percentage of migrant birds (12.8%) were highest in the forest and percentage of resident birds (74.6%) was highest in home gardens. The bird species composition in tea estate was highly comparable to that of home gardens (Cj=0.58). Percentage of openland birds (23.5%) was highest in tea estate whereas percentage of forest birds (59%) was highest in forest reserve. In addition, certain specialists were found exclusively within the forest. The higher diversity recorded, in human-modified landscapes has caused by its location in a closer proximity to forested areas and the wider array of different habitat types present. Therefore, such human-modified land-uses contribute for avifaunal conservation in the country. Yet, the long term impacts of such landscapes should be studied further.
Sustainable tourism development in Negombo coastline: An option for co-management
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Panagoda, P.A.B.G.; Dissanayake, D.M.S.N.; Nawalage, N.M.S.K.; Silva, H.K.A.D.; Tharaka, L.K.D.N.; Weerasinghe, H.W.G.A.S.; Bellanthudawa, B.K.A.; Kawshalyani, P.; Subanky, S.; de Silva, P.K.S.; Chandrasekara, W.U.
The Negombo coastline is a highly populous area on the west coast of Sri Lanka, and its northern sandy extremity is very popular among the local and foreign tourists. A field survey based on face-to-face interviews with the stakeholder segments was conducted in August 2015 to assess their role and contribution to the management, utilization and governance of this coastline and, to propose suitable management options. In this survey, information from the local stakeholder coastal community (n = 15) including a leading tourist hotel in the area was collected. In addition, information from the chief executive officers of Regional office of the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department (CC & CRMD), Negombo Municipal Council (MC) and the Police Station (PS) were collected. The information from the survey were analysed and a SWOT analysis was carried out. The major strengths of the coastline were the presence of an extensive sandy beach and fish resources (78%) and utilization of these resource for income generation (98%), involvement of a large proportion of the local population in tourism (75%), high income gained by tourism (73%), frequent beach cleaning programmes performed the stakeholders (69%), high cleanliness of the beach (75%), high level of education of the local community (63%) and community participation in beach cleaning programmes (62%). The local government authorities are responsible for managing the beach; the CC & CRMD is responsible for preventing coastal erosion and illegal constructions within the beach façade; the MC regularly monitors the sewage discharges and cleanliness of the coastline; the local PS strictly ensures law and peace in the area. The major weaknesses were inadequate government involvement in beach maintenance (69%), lack of awareness and commitment (58%) and willingness (24%) of the local community in community based management (24%). Lack of coordination among CC & CRMD, MC and police over the governance of the coastline was another major weakness. The major opportunities were the possibility expand tourism related activities (25%) and improve cleanliness of the beach (25%). The major threats were the improper solid waste disposal in the coastline (48%), and high taxes against tourism related income generation activities (70%). In addition, child abuse by tourists, drug and liquor trafficking, high coliform count in sea water and coastal erosion were other the major threats. This survey highlights the importance of reinforcing an understanding between the local community and local government authorities over the management and governance of coastal resources in Negombo coastline. Therefore, formulating and strengthening a genuine co-management strategy is highly recommended for the sustainable tourism in this coastline.