Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Coastal Landscape Changes in Unawatuna Coastal Zone, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Coastal landscape changes are an ultimate result of natural factors, population growth and different anthropogenic factors including tourism. Changes in coastal landscape directly influence on the socio-economic, cultural and environment facets at global, regional and local scales. However, unplanned tourism industry highlighted as a main cause for coastal landscape changes. Understanding and quantifying the spatial and temporal dynamics of coastal landscape changes and its driving factors is essential to put forward the right policies and monitoring mechanisms on coastal growth for decision making. Thus, the objectives of this study were to i) analyse the impact of anthropogenic activities on changing coastal landscape in Unawatuna Coastal zone and ii) identify the temporal changes of coastal landscape and it’s in turn effects. The study was conducted in two (02) Grama Nidhari Divisions viz. Unawatuna Central and Yaddehimulla selecting 60 (10%) households out of 600 total households using random sampling method. Questioner surveys, target group discussions and field observations were used as methods of primary data collection. The magnitude of affected geomorphologic features and ecosystems were identified through the analysis of satellite images while changes of coastal landscape in the area were analysed by ArcView GIS. The study found that there was an increased expansion of built up areas in the last 61 years by reducing the coastal vegetation. Some erosion processes and coastal protection methods also highlighted as a driving factors to change coastal landscape. Considering all the observed and analysed data it could be identified that the area has now become the maximum development stage as a tourist area with 52% out of all anthropogenic activities in the area. Further, the study ascertained that within a short period of time from 2002 to 2017, the natural vegetation cover of the shore has been abated and the tendency of build-up areas has been increased. Anthropogenic activities carried out by inhabitants, tourism business people and Department of Coastal Conservation within coastal areas has changed the coastal landscape and which in result to increase the process of coastal erosion. Finally the study concludes that the need of increasing the awareness of all the stakeholders act as driving forces on negative impacts of changing coastal landscape and the importance of preserving the environment.