Abstract:
The construction of the Oluvil Harbour in 2009,
intended to promote socio-economic growth in
Sri Lanka’s Ampara District, has unintentionally
accelerated coastal erosion and caused severe
ecological disturbances. This study evaluates the
extent of erosion and its consequences from 2009
to 2024 using Google Earth historical imagery,
field observations, and other existing studies.
Findings reveal a cumulative shoreline retreat of
approximately 300 meters north of the harbour,
while inland impacts include riverbank erosion
along the Kali-Odai River (since 2022). These
changes have disrupted fisheries, reduced
freshwater availability, and diminished fish
population density, threatening both marine and
terrestrial
livelihoods.
management
practices
Inadequate
further
waste
intensify
ecological stress, contributing to pollution and
resource depletion. To mitigate these impacts, the
study highlights several management strategies:
ecosystem-based
erosion
mangrove
restoration,
control
through
soft-engineering
techniques such as sand nourishment and dune
stabilization, improved solid waste management
to reduce coastal pollution, and alternative
livelihood programs to safeguard community
resilience. At the policy level, strengthening the
Coastal Zone Management Plan and enforcing
rigorous
pre-
and
post-construction
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are
crucial
to
ensure
that
future
coastal
developments balance economic progress with
environmental sustainability. The findings
underscore the urgent requirement for science
based, sustainable management approaches to
safeguard Oluvil coastal ecosystems and the
livelihoods that depend on them.
