Hreats of mangrove flora and the management actions; a case study in Kaluwanchikudy area.

Abstract

Mangroves are the valuable resource estimated the extent of 8,000 hectares in Sri Lanka, of these, about 1421 hectares occur in Batticaloa District including Kaluwanchikudy area. The dominant mangroves present in this area are Excoecaria agallocha, Sonneratia caseolaris, Acrostichium aureum, Pandanas tectorius, Cerbera odollam, Thespesia populnea and Ceriops tagal. At present, the mangrove stands in Kalawanchikudy area are threatened by anthropogenic activities including mangrove deforestation. The study was carried out at Kaluwanchikudy area to assess the impact of mangrove destruction with a view to propose management activities for the mangroves in this area. This study included the collection of primary and secondary data, the primary data has been collected through questionnaire survey with the stakeholder parties of the mangroves in the area including fishermen and other persons. The secondary data with respect to land use patterns and the extent of mangroves has been collected from maps, internet based surveys and Forest Department. MS Excel and GIS software were used for the study. Based on the study, management actions for the mangroves in Kaluwanchikudy area are proposed, these include declaration of mangrove protected zones, restoration of mangrove denuded areas, launching mangrove re-plantation programs, and holding public awareness programs to stakeholder parties in the area including fishermen community and school children on the importance of mangroves.