A study about human interference in declination of urban wetland density: based on Bellanwila-Attidiya wetland.

Abstract

Wetlands support the livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries. However, wetland land cover change, as a result of a growing population and subsequent anthropogenic activities, has been evident at a global scale. Sri Lanka is equally vulnerable to wetland changes that can have direct effects on the sustenance of local wetland-dependent people. The main objective of this research is, to identify the human threat on the wetland in the urban area. The Bellanwila-Attidiya urban wetland was selected as the study area in Rathmalana and Kesbewa Divisional Secretariat Divisions. The observations, interviews, and questionnaires were used under the primary data collection while research articles, books, and institution reports were used as secondary data. In analysing data, the MS Excel software was used to find out threat though the statistically, and geo-processing tools and Digitizing methods were used to make maps using ArcGIS software. According to analysis, it has been confirmed that 30% of the study area is under human encroachment and it also has contributed to biodiversity degradation and urban flooding. Therefore, this study aims to inform the urban public regarding the conservation of wetlands, tightening the rules and restricting land reclamation.