IRSPAS 2016

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Author: search.filters.author.Chandrasekara, W.U.Subject: search.filters.subject.SWOT analysis

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    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.
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    Role of the coastal community and the government in sustainable utilization and management of coastal resources in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Moragoda, M.K.N.P.; Ranasinghe, O.R.; Dikkumbura, H.K.U.S.; Kalaotuwawe, K.M.B.P.; Karunapala, H.M.B.N.; Dilini, R.M.A.; Gamanayake, B.G.N.N.; Kuruppuarachchi, H.D.; Chandrasekara, W.U.
    Unawatuna is a coastal town in southern Sri Lanka, and its safe sandy beach is popular among local and overseas tourists. Since this beach generates a considerable amount of income through tourism, it is of paramount importance to manage and sustainably utilize its coastal resources in order to improve tourism and quality of life of the local community. With this view, a field survey was carried out on this location in October 2014 to assess the role of the local coastal community and the local government authorities in sustainable utilization, management and governance of coastal resources in Unawatuna beach. In this survey, a questionnaire based survey on the local community (n = 20) as well as on randomly selected individuals (n = 15) on the beach was carried out by holding face-to-face interviews. In addition, a questionnaire survey on the chief executive officers of the local authorities in the area viz. Area Engineer’s office of Coast Conservation Department (CCD) in Unawatuna, Southern Provincial Office of Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Habaraduwa Police Station and Habaraduwa Pradeshiya Sabhawa was also carried out by holding face-to-face interviews. Data obtained from both components of the survey were subjected to analyses and a SWOT analysis was carried out. The major strengths identified by the analysis included the presence of a variety of natural resources and cultural attractions on the beach. The educational level of people in the beach surroundings was high where 58.8% had above O/L educational qualifications. Further, the beach is cleaned daily by organized groups in the community (58.82%) so that the cleanliness of the beach was high (76.47%). The local community also received a fairly high income from tourism (73.33%). The CCD and CEA are strongly involved in coastal erosion prevention programmes, conducting awareness programs for the stakeholders on the beach area, implement policies, plans, projects and strategies to conserve the coastal resources in the area. The tourist police unit of Habaraduwa police station maintains law and order in the area and take strict legal actions against illicit drug and liquor trade and use. Further, the Habaraduwa Pradeshiya Sabhawa carried out public utility services including daily removal of garbage from the surrounding area. The major weaknesses identified were lack of awareness (15.21%) and lack of commitment (19.56%) of stakeholders on coastal resources management practices and difficulties in implementing laws and regulations (6.52%). There are opportunities for improvement of recreational, beach protection and development activities, and involving unemployed persons of the local community (23.53%) in tourism. The major threats were beach pollution by sewage and solid waste (25%), interferences by external parties such as large scale hotel owners and politicians (20.83%), high government taxes (37.5%), illegal constructions on the beach façade (20.83%) and coastal erosion due to unplanned construction of a break water. The present study highlights the involvement of a co-management strategy in Unawatuna beach area on the governess and management of coastal resources with positive inputs from both the local government authorities and the stakeholder community. Reinforcing and strengthening the existing co-management strategy is recommended for the proper governess, management and sustainable utilization of coastal resources in the Unawatuna coastline.