International Symposium on ICT for Sustainable Development (ICTSD 2016)

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    Deforestation of Veppal & Marichchukkaddi forest reserves in Sri Lanka
    (Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Fernando, G.M.T.S.; Kodippilige, N.P.; Prakashnie, M.P.
    The unprecedented increase of human population makes the pressure on native forests and it has been caused to increase of deforestation in worldwide. Global warming is a one of the critical impacts that arise due to deforestation and it affects on all organisms. Thus majority of the world community has been paid a significant attention to protect the green cover of the earth to mitigate the impacts of global warming.This research is focused on recently reported biggest deforestation incident in Sri Lanka that Veppal and Marichchukkaddi deforestation happens North-West direction from the Wilpattu National Park. Total land extent of these forests is 16,437.74 hectares(ha) and these are the reserved forests that conserve under the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC). This research studied the legality of this deforestation, extent of deforestation, present situation and its impacts to the environment. This was done by using change detection analysis from years 1963 to 2016 of the Veppal and Marichchukkaddi forest reserves. The topographic map data and satellite imageries were used to derive the deforestation of the study area, and recent changes and impacts were observed by a field visit. Analysis was done using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques such as spatial analysis, image classifications and statistical analysis. Relevant gazettes and other legal documents were referred as secondary data to verify the legal situation. The results show an illegal deforestation in the study area from the mid of the year 2010 to 2015. Secondary information shows the granted legal permission in 2013 to clear the land of 250m beside the Puttalam-Kondaichchi Road (B379) between 23–29 kilometer posts. According to the analysis, the total extent of this permitted zone is 248 ha. However, the beginning of the year 2011 deforested land extent was 245.35 ha (1.49% of total forest area). Then in 2013 this deforested extent expanded to 470.78 ha (2.86%) and in 2015 this extent was the 556.79 ha (3.38%). At the field survey, it was observed that DFC has made their new forest boundary with a large loss and such settlements that are located in the middle of the forest will be a big threat to the existing forest cover as well as wild habitats in the forest. Outputs of this research are very important for the general public to be aware of illegal deforestation in the country, as well as for policy makers to know about the inadequacy of available conservation activities.
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    Emerging ICT applications for strengthening of fisheries information system; A Sri Lankan experience
    (Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Wimalasena, H.D.; Dahanayaka, D.D.G.L.; Amaralal, K.H.M.L.
    At present, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are used across the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Sri Lanka for resource assessment, capture or culture to processing and commercialization. Especially in fisheries sector, ICT is widely used in applications such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for navigation and location finding, mobile phones for trading, information exchange, and emergencies, Satellite Remote Sensing (RS) for fishery forecasting and culture site selection, and radio for communication with fishers. But usage of web-based information and networking resources of these sectors are still emerging in Sri Lanka. Efficient information sharing system among resource users and fishery managers are essential for the sustainable management of aquatic resources. To fulfill this requirement, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) had foreseen the setting up of a user friendly system and launched the ‘Fisheries Information Centre (FIC) on 07th May 2013, to provide timely and accurate information on fisheries related problems for all stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to discuss the present status of the FIC and its role on development of Sri Lankan fisheries sector with evolving ICT applications. At the initial phase, FIC provided mobile phone interface to connect with the centre for their information needs. It can facilitate dialogue among fisheries communities and with government planners, researchers, and technical experts in sharing information for improvement in the efficiency and profitability of the fisheries industry. Through this dialogue FIC is able to disseminate scientific and legislative information, professional experiences and good practices to the fisheries sector (fishing, aquaculture, fish processing and marketing). From the start, FIC was successfully engaged to solve more than 500 telephone queries, which were categorized under academic and research related services (37%); consumer and industry services (33%); fishermen welfare and disaster related services (8%); trade and investment related services (6%); general comments and communications (16%). Delivering extension services such as conducting workshops for fishers and fishery related stakeholders, policy makers and politicians is another goal of FIC. Further, fisheries related information such as weather conditions, natural disasters, market fish prices, fishery forecasting etc. is also disseminated through the FIC. As the internet is emerging as a tool with potential to contribute to the development of Fisheries in developing countries like Sri Lanka, FIC focused on Setting up of a Web Portal for efficient information sharing between local and foreign stakeholders in near future.