Factors determining the changes in agricultural land use pattern in Nugethota Grama Niladari Division: 1971 -2008; A political ecological analysis

Abstract

The land is the most important natural resource and it provides fundamental human needs such as water, air and food and minerals etc. However, the equilibrium of the environment has been collapsed at present due to the attempts of fulfilling the unlimited wants of humans. Consequently, modern agriculture land-use patterns have also been changed due to many reasons. This study investigates the major land-use changes and the major causes of these land-use changes in the Nugethota village. This study uses the politicalecological approach under the mixed method of study. The land-use maps, aerial photographs, and Google images between 1971 to 2018 have been used as secondary data. For finding the causes of land-use changes, the primary data was collected from field observations of, focused group discussions, and questionnaires. According to the study, the economic value of land and the price fluctuations of agricultural products are the main reasons for land cover changes in the area. Personal attitudes, lack of agricultural labour, development projects in the area and surrounding regions are the other reasons.