A study on environmental impacts of Highland Agriculture in Goradiyagolla Grama Niladhari Division, Walapane Divisional Secretariat.

Abstract

The highlands of Sri Lanka consist of environmentally sensitive areas. Regardless of the sensitivity of the highlands, People involved in agriculture activities have become a challenge in present. There is a tendency to use irregular farming methods on the highlands especially to increase the income of the farmers. Highland agriculture is the biggest challenge in Asian countries and Sri Lanka is one of the countries face this issue. The main objective of this research is to study the environmental impact on highland agriculture and to study the reasons for such an impact. For this purpose, the Goradiyagolla Grama Niladhari Division, which has the highest environmental impacts on highland agriculture in the Walapane Divisional Secretariat, was selected as the study area. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Questionnaires, interviews, and observation methods have been used for data collection. Data were collected using a simple random sampling method of 30 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Unstructured interviews were also conducted. Data analysis has been done using Microsoft Excel, GIS software and detailed analysis methodology. Photographs taken from the study area were also used to illustrate the environmental impacts of highland agriculture. According to the study, the main problem of highland agriculture is the landslide risk due to irregular cultivation in slopes over 60 percent. The main reason for the environmental impact is the fact that 90 percent of the farmers have low education. If cultivations are done on sensitive lands, it is recommended that conservation precautions are followed. Strengthen the institutional capacity for the implementation of environmental laws and community-based programs should be conducted to educate the farmers on agricultural knowledge.