Abstract:
Jaffna peninsula consists of several ecosystems, and the wetlands play a vital role in the creation of
good ecosystem balance and in maintaining healthy environmental condition of the area. The
growing population has resulted in the reduction of natural habitats. This research was conducted in
Kuruvikkadu wetland area of Jaffna district with the intention of identifying the human activities
that threaten for the future persistence of Kuruvikadu birding site and propose suitable solutions to
conserve this site. The required primary data were collected through field observation, questionnaire
survey with fifty respondents, one structured interview and discussion with the officers of Central
Environmental Authority, Wildlife Conservation Department, members of Ceylon Birds Club and
the people from surrounding areas. The direct observations made in the study area primarily based
on three months. The secondary data were obtained from records of relevant institutions, published
research journals and authorised web data. Descriptive statistical techniques have been used to
analyse the collected data. This study reveals that the Kuruvikkadu site is the habitat, breeding and
feeding ground for more than twenty indigenous and migratory bird species, fish species, prawn,
snail, small crab, shrimp, oyster, mollusc species, wild animals and has the favourable
environmental conditions, potential natural resources to be a bird sanctuary. Even though this area is
not declared as a sanctuary and presently facing serious threats to its survival mainly due to illegal
deforestation, encroachment, unplanned development activities and fishing practices, improper
waste disposal, hunting, lack of awareness and lack of institutional arrangements to declare this site
as a sanctuary in the provincial and national level. It is an imperative need to declare this site as a
sanctuary and conserve this wetland birding site to enrich the geo-environmental quality of the region,
and appropriate activities should be undertaken by local people, the government institutions, and
activist groups for the future persistence of this ecosystem. The research findings and
recommendations derived from this study will be useful for environmental-related government
agencies, non-government agencies, activist groups, researchers, planners, policymakers and
graduates in Sri Lanka.
