Sri Lanka

Mangrove Workshop: June 13 - 17, 2010 

A workshop under the title "Protection of diverse Mangrove Forests and Promotion of Energy Saving Lamps in Sri Lanka" took place in Ambalangoda at the Maduganga and Madampe Wetlands, Sri Lanka. The Workshop aimed to move the effects of climate change and the value of mangroves in its mitigation into the focus. The possibilities of sustainable use and management are impacted by climate change and opportunities that will benefit the environment as well as the livelihoods of the people will be developed. Moreover, a regional perspective was introduced to clarify how the results of the projects in Sri Lanka can be transferred to other countries. The event was organised in the framework of the project “Protection of diverse mangrove forests in Sri Lanka” supported by the Stiftung Ursula Merz and the project “Improving livelihoods of fishermen in Sri Lanka by introducing LED and CF lamps for night fishing and reducing the use of kerosene” supported by WISIONS.

According to a study conducted by the IUCN in 2000 – Maduganga Lake has one of the most unique biodiversity including different vegetation types such as the predominating mangroves and marshlands. The Maduganga wetland consists of 10 major vegetation types. These vegetation types comprise a total of 303 species of plants belonging to 95 families. The total plant species included 19 endemic and nationally threatened species and 9 invasive alien species. Examples of endangered plants are a dominant canopy plant Shorea affinis.

Due to the broad variety of plants, a large number of invertebrates, reptiles, including snakes, birds, amphibians, and mammals can be found around Lakes Maduganga and Madampa Ganga. Whereas the Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) is considered to be vulnerable and the purple-faced Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus vetulus) endangered other reptiles such as the estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata), Indian Python (Python molurus) are not considered in the red list yet.

The mixture of vegetation types and presence of 21 small and large islands within this twin lake has made these two wetlands an ideal habitat for a great variety of birds. A total of 111 bird species (48 families) were recorded. These represented approximately 43 % families of the Sri Lanka native avifauna population. Of these native species 6 are endemic while 7 are considered as nationally threatened. Some of the birds were listed in the IUCN red list, such as the Sri Lanka bush warbler, Bradypterus palliseri, Columba torringtoni (Ceylon bush pigeon) and Myophonus blighi, the Sri Lanka whistling thrush. Additionaly, about 10 % (13 species) of Lake Maduganga birds are winter migrants.

Use of Land and Water Resources

According to a survey conducted by the Coastal Conservation Department of Sri Lanka the total population living in the vicinity of Lake Maduganga is nearly 24.150. 19.360 people live around the lake Madampa Ganga.

The people depend on the resources available from the lakes and surrounding wetland systems. Though, there is neither an adequate management nor environmental awareness programme, by which the local farmers and fishermen learn about sustainable use of the environment. The area already has encountered severe damage e.g. due to over-fishing, emissions of pollutants into the water system or the extensive use of chemical fertilizers.

Such issues need to be addressed not only regarding the local population but also with respect to its reputation as recreation area such as the resorts Hikkaduwa, Bentara and Unawatuna, representing the areas economically important pillar.

After the disastrous Tsunami in December 2004, the living situation for the people in Sri Lanka has drastically changed. GNF had, together with the local partner organisation (Nagenahiru Foundation), deveveloped an action plan for the next two years. This program aims at improving the humanitarian situation of the people and the renaturation of the valuable mangrove forests.

From December 2005 until December 2008, the successful implementation of the EU Asia Pro-Eco II B Post Tsunami Project: Post Tsunami Restoration of Mangroves, Education and Reestablishment of Livelihoods was effected.

More and detailed information on the separate project pages.

In the succession of this project, mangrove plants were cultivated at four more lakes. Detailed information about the project ”Mangrove reforestation at six lakes” is available on the corresponding project page.

Another project encourages fisher families to use LED and CF lamps for night fishing. Hereby the kerosine lamps, being used until now, are replaced. Further information about this project can be found on the project page.

Partner Organisation 

Nagenahiru Foundation - Center for Conservation of Lakes and Wetlands

Contact: Lal Emmanuel, President

No. 4/11, Patabendimulla

Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka

Phone: + 94 - 91 22 56 621

Mobile: + 94 - 77 62 09 625

E-mail: nagenahiru@sltnet.lk

Website: www.nagenahiru.org