Deforestation, changes in land usage in the Upper Walawe Basin

Abstract

Forests and scrub areas located in the tropics and subtropics have begun to erode due to human activity. Environmental resources are used for various livelihoods. Although conservation processes are implemented, often no clear methodology is followed. The situation has been exacerbated in the last six decades by the settlement of the Upper Walawe Basin area due to the lack of environmental conservation development. Since the 1980s, many housing projects, plantations, road, community water projects, and rural electricity generation projects have been established. Such projects have had a profound impact on the wildlife and animal communities. Reasons for deforestation in other areas were included to make it easier to explain changes in the situation in the selected area. Observations at certain locations in the area revealed that the land used pattern had changed within a very short period. Changes in land use patterns have occurred due to various processes in the area, such as construction, cultivation, various projects, inter structural development, and industrial construction. Scrub and forest lands were used for the settlement of the area. Shrubs and forests have also been severely depleted due to various projects being set up for the welfare of the people in the area. Construction of road systems accelerates deforestation. The socio-economic problems of the people in the area were also caused for the deforestation and the use of forest resources in some areas as an economic source can also be seen. This research analytically presents permanent solutions to the current problems caused by the use of scrubs and forests for various processes.

Indasumana Thero(2012),Deforestation, changes in land usage in the Upper Walawe Basin,MSSc Thesis. University of Kelaniya