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Inland Irrigation Project Causes Disappearance of Coastal Lagoon: The Trajectory of Kalametiya Lagoon, Sri Lanka from 1956 to 2016
The increase of freshwater inflow to Kalametiya lagoon, Sri Lanka, as a result of Udawalawe irrigation project that came into operation in 1967, has caused heavy siltation and reduction of salinity in the lagoon. The present investigation attempted to study and convey the current situation of Kalametiya lagoon and its future trajectory in response to unremitting disturbances. About 86% of the water surface area has been sacrificed to Sonneratia caseolaris and Typha angustifolia as dominant riparian vegetation and the water quality of the remaining water body has also deteriorated as evident by increased acidity, reduced dissolved oxygen and increased ammonium content. If the present trend continues, chances of losing the remaining water surface area in 2-3 years are predictably high. These spatio-temporal changes apparently diminished the uses and services of the coastal lagoon. Improper planning and lack of institutional coordination have caused such a menace. As many coastal lagoons worldwide experience similar degradation due to ill-planned development projects, careful considerations should be given to long-term impact assessment of a development project before implementation. This case-study can, therefore, be taken as a lesson in coastal zone management in other parts of the world.
Inland Irrigation Project Causes Disappearance of Coastal Lagoon: The Trajectory of Kalametiya Lagoon, Sri Lanka from 1956 to 2016
The increase of freshwater inflow to Kalametiya lagoon, Sri Lanka, as a result of Udawalawe irrigation project that came into operation in 1967, has caused heavy siltation and reduction of salinity in the lagoon. The present investigation attempted to study and convey the current situation of Kalametiya lagoon and its future trajectory in response to unremitting disturbances. About 86% of the water surface area has been sacrificed to Sonneratia caseolaris and Typha angustifolia as dominant riparian vegetation and the water quality of the remaining water body has also deteriorated as evident by increased acidity, reduced dissolved oxygen and increased ammonium content. If the present trend continues, chances of losing the remaining water surface area in 2-3 years are predictably high. These spatio-temporal changes apparently diminished the uses and services of the coastal lagoon. Improper planning and lack of institutional coordination have caused such a menace. As many coastal lagoons worldwide experience similar degradation due to ill-planned development projects, careful considerations should be given to long-term impact assessment of a development project before implementation. This case-study can, therefore, be taken as a lesson in coastal zone management in other parts of the world.
Inland Irrigation Project Causes Disappearance of Coastal Lagoon: The Trajectory of Kalametiya Lagoon, Sri Lanka from 1956 to 2016
Madarasinghe, Sanduni K. (author) / Yapa, Kanthi K.A.S (author) / Satyanarayana, Behara (author) / Udayakantha, P.M.P. (author) / Kodikara, Sunanda (author) / Jayatissa, Loku Pulikuttige (author)
Coastal Management ; 48 ; 188-209
2020-05-03
22 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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