Abstract:
Aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of upper catchment develop-
ment activities on the Bundala National Park (BNP), Hambantota and the livelihoods
of buffer zone villages. Bundala is the first Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka in the South-
ern tip of Sri Lanka. To evaluate the ecological impacts of development projects on
the conservation of BNP, a literature review and a field survey was conducted with
the participation of selected key informants from the surrounding villages of the parl.
BNP consisted of five shallow Brackish-water Lagoons. Generally, brackish water
has more dissolved solids than fresh water and less than seawater. Bundala wetland
is fed by two catchments: Malala Oya and Embilikala Oya. Besides these two, Kirindi
Oya is one of the other major catchments developed as the Kirindi Oya Settlement
and Irrigation Project (KOSIP) in the Late 1980s. Before the KOSIP, Bundala and
other surrounding villages were sparsely populated due to the harsh climatic condi-
tions and water scarcity. As a pro-development strategy, the KOSIP was introduced.
As a result, new settlements and cultivation fields developed over the upper catch-
ments of BNP and gradually waste irrigation water flow to the lagoons increased.
Findings highlighted that the pH values of the main lagoons were closer to seven, and
the electric conductivity level was lower. This affected aquatic habitats and reduced
species living in the lagoons, challenging the Ramsar title and fishermen’s income.
Further, KOSIP caused reduced forested areas and grasslands in the vicinity. The curd
industry declined due to the reduction in grasslands, which increased illegal access to
the BNP grounds for grazing, further deteriorating the habitat. Overall, 22% of buffer
zone residents had to find alternative livelihoods due to restrictions and environmental
changes. To overcome these two major issues, integration of the views of the com-
munity in protected area management and implementation of development projects
are recommended
