3rd URS-ZEM - 2017
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/16655
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Item Case study on usage of polythene bags in super markets of Colombo metropolitan and finding an alternative(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Athukorala, U.K.; Gamagedara, D.; Gayangani, E.M.; Chrishanthan, J.E.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Polyethylene bags since their emergence in the 1940s, is an incredibly useful, highly convenient, strong and inexpensive, to both customers and businesses as a reliable way to deliver goods from the store to home. According to statistic, 20 billion polythene bags are being used per day in Sri Lanka. This creates massive amount of non-biodegradable waste which poses a huge threat to human, animal and the environmental health. This study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating the current usage of polythene in super markets of Colombo District and to find alternatives to minimize the usage of polythene bags in super markets. Primary data were gathered by a questionnaire survey carried out among the four major super market chains as in Cargills Food City, Keells Super, Arpico Super Centre, Laugfs Supermarket to understand the usage of the polythene bags. Secondary data were gathered from observations, discussions, books, electronic media and other sources. Some paper bag alternatives were made; Cement Paper bag with oil paper coating, Cement Paper bag with corn husk as the bottom, Cement Paper bag with oil paper layering and Cement Paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom to test the mechanical properties and feasibility of the option. The results from the Market survey signifies that averagely around 8 million of polythene bags are issued per month by all the outlets in Colombo district by each super market category. Therefore, study findings revealed that out of the four types of alternatives tested Cement Paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom would be the best option as it showed the greatest mechanical properties. When look in to the cost associated with the production, all the four types of bags would have to bear the coat of 6.75 to 7.00 LKR. Therefore, Cement paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom would be the ideal replacement for polythene bags use to pack different types of dry vegetables and food.Item Customer preference on an eco-friendly alternative for polythene grocery bag(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Gamagedara, D.; Athukorala, U.K.; Gayangani, E.M.; Chrishanthan, J.E.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Polythene have become increasingly popular for industrial and consumer uses because of their flexibility and cost effectiveness. Most of the items in the supermarkets are packed using some kind of polythene packaging material and they are giving away bags for each and every item a customer buys. However, there is no proper management system. It is a known fact that polythene has become a serious threat to human and animal as well as environmental health. This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating customer preference on usage of polythene and moving for eco-friendly alternative in Colombo district. A questionnaire survey was carried out to find the customer preferences on selected four different roads in Colombo district focusing four major super markets; Cargils, Keels, Laugfs and Arpico. Total sample size was 200. According to the survey results, 43% of consumers visit super market once a week and 27% of the respondents visit super markets twice a week. 96% of respondents would like to go for a bio degradable option and majority of respondents (90%) are willing to pay an extra for an ecofriendly alternative. Also, 64% would like to pay less than 5.00 rupees for an alternative bag while 30% of respondents would like to pay up to 8.00 Sri Lanka rupees. Customers are less aware of harmfulness of polythene and they are willing to accept an alternative if they are provided with an alternative.Item Evaluating the most appropriate control method of Mimosa pigra; case of Mahaweli River Basin(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Geekiyanage, G.K.; Geethanjalee, P.H.K.; Gunadasa, D.M.N.H.; Inshaf, I.M.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Mimosa pigra can be identified as on the worst invasive species and it can be found in certain parts on wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. It can be grown at any elevation and found in low, up and mid country of Sri Lanka. It is clerly visible a 30 to 35 km belt of Mimosa pigra along the upper catchment areas of Mahaweli River. People in the area complain that this species has become a problem for them in their regular farming activities. This study was carried out in identifying community attitude towards Mimosa pigra and its control methods. A community survey was carried out covering three GN divisions in the area; Nathtarampotha, Pilapitiya, and Pandiwatta by selecting 90 families. According the results obtained there were very few uses of “Yoda Nidikumba” and surrounding people are using the plant mainly as a fuel wood. Uprooting plants before getting matured, cutting,slashing and tilling are identified by the community as mechanical control methods. However, community is unable to suggest a proper control method for preventing spread of M.pigra. According to respondents, still no proper attempt has been made by responsible parties. However, Mahaweli Authority is attempting to control the species by introducing large trees which provide shades such as Acacia acuminate (Jam) and Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk). By studying the seed germination of Mimosa pigra under light and shade conditions it is proven that the light condition is most preferable for the success growth of the Mimosa pigra. Maintaining a shady condition in the invaded area inhibit the seed germination and growth of M.pigra. Study revealed that Gliricidia sepium (Watahiriya) can be introduced for the land as a pioneer species to control the Mimosa pigra while fertilizing the soil. Seed Germination Indexes were found for Zea mays, Vigna unguiculata along with Mimosa pigra by supplying same conditions using soil samples from the study site. Zea mays is the most suitable variety for the study site which can be grown where Mimosa pigra is dominant. Vegetation cover and water management system are best management activities for reducing the germination of Mimosa pigra seeds. It is important to carry out more studies about Mimosa pigra in this area as the flood plains of the Mahaweli River is being invaded by this particular invasive species day by day. Monitoring must be continued at the study site longer than the known seed longevity to ensure that the seed bank is exhausted, and that no further germination occurs.Item Evaluating suitable environmental conditions for seed germination of invasive Mimosa pigra; case of Mahaweli River Basin(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Geekiyanage, G.K.; Geethanjalee, P.H.K.; Gunadasa, D.M.N.H.; Inshaf, I.M.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Mimosa pigra is listed as one of the 100 “World’s Worst” invasive species and it has been accidentally introduced to Sri Lanka. At present, it has been naturalised in certain parts of the country and causes a massive threat to particular ecosystems. Mimosa pigra is spreading along the upper catchment areas of Mahaweli River forming dense thickets belt along 30 to 35 km along the Mahaweli River basin where the water is used specially for irrigation activities. Mimosa pigra seeds are dispersed with the sand for construction which extracted from the Mahaweli River and its tributaries. Also, the seed dispersal with the flow of water is high especially in the rainy season. Therefore, it has become a major threat in Victoria catchment area in Kundasale with the Mahaweli development water project. In Sri Lanka it was found that seeds remained 100% viable at the room temperature (280C). There is no proper literature which says about its reproductive capacity. Still no proper attempt have been made to address this issue by responsible parties. Pre analysis of Mimosa pigra was carried out at the in front of the Central Environmental Authority. The case study was carried out at a selected study site at Kundasale (GN division –Pandiwatta) where Mimosa pigra is dominant. A preliminary survey was done in Kundasale site in order to get an idea about the study site. Three areas have been identified; clay soil area, sandy clay soil area and sandy soil area, to lay out plots in the study site. Three 20*20m plots were laid one at each site and stocking density of the study site was estimated. Seed Germination Index was calculated from prepared composite soil sample of five random locations of each plot and separately for sandy, silt and clay soil samples. Physical and Chemical properties of soil in three different sites were analyzed. Mimosa pigra has shown certain attributes as weeds and it is able to tolerate all type of soils and Sandy loam soil is the most preferred soil type under the low amount of organic matter. Study revealed that the Neutral soil pH and normal environmental temperature (27-280C) is most suitable for the growth of the M.pigra. Seed Germination Index of Mimosa pigra was found to be 80% in a shady condition and 100% with full sunlight.