The human effects on dry mixed evergreen forest cover surrounding the Village-based irrigation system in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Natural vegetation is vastly different from the land escapes that make up various types of forests. Dry mixed evergreen forest (DMEF) can be seen around the village based irrigation systems (VBIS) in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The main human impact of dry mixed evergreen forest in shifting and burning cultivation. This is increased since 1980. However, this research investigated the major impacts of human activities on dry mixed evergreen forest cover in Sri Lanka. A total of 40 households were face to face interviewed for primary data collection in Mahakanadarawa Grama Niladari Division in the Mihinthale Divisional Secretariat Division. The data analyzed from descriptive statistics and also used starlight images for comparing land use pattern. The research confirmed that shifting and burning cultivation as a major impact in DMEF. Furthermore it is revealed that there in a negative relationship between educational level and employment. Land disintegration also observed as a contributing for in the reduction of DMEF. The Chena cultivation must be manage with providing alternative employment opportunities before its getting into the alarming lived of destruction of DMEF.