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.
