The human effects on Baobab trees of Manner Island: a case study in Secretariat Division of Mannar

Abstract

The baobab tree still survives in Manner due to its status as a ?zero-cost species? which does not compete with native species. In ancient times, the Arab traders who brought camels to Manner, fed the animals with the leaves of the baobab. A potential threat can be appeared due to the rapid population growth (through resettlement of refugees), the spread of settled agriculture, and the development of ill-considered and over ambitious tourism facilities. The baobab has become a conspicuous component of the coastal biological diversity of Manner and its ability to adapt to the harsh conditions prevalent in. The baobab is an ancient tree that needs to be protected for the future community. It will also lead to increase the income of local and foreign tourism. According to the 1990 coastal zone management plan, the historical and archaeological places in the coastal belt should be protected and the baobab tree was one of the historical trees that was gradually disappearing from Manner Island even in that time. There are thirty baobab trees in the island of Manner recently and we cannot replant or reproduce them due to the climate and other causes, but if we maintain these trees properly we can conserve them for a long period as they have a long life. As evidences, 700 years old trees were found in Manner. Therefore, the focus of this research was to find out information how baobab trees were affected by human activities. The investigation was done using preliminary and secondary data. In order to obtain preliminary particulars we have done interviews, observations and different measurement techniques of trees in Secretariat Division of Manner. Thus, we collected Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) and the secondary data was used to make the summary in a scientific way. This investigation revealed that Baobab trees were affected by human activities. The reason was people do not know the value of these trees. Two trees were completely destroyed and more than ten trees were cut and damaged.