Abstract:
Six lagoons from Negombo to Puttalam, along the Western and North Western coast of Sri Lanka,
show signs of some change due to urbanization-related anthropological activities. Identified
activities have direct implications on morphological features of lagoons, elimination of wetlands
(mangrove swamps and marshy lands) and pasture lands, land degradation due to encroachment
for shrimp farms, shrinking of lagoons, and production of higher nutrient and heavy metal loads,
decline in bird and fish populations and degradation of the scenic beauty. As a result, the lagoon
ecosystems have suffered to such a degree that numerous faunal and floral species have
disappeared or have diminished considerably over the last few years. All these anthropogenic
impacts were identified by the author during 1992, 2002, and 2006 as well as in a study on
“Lagoons in Sri Lanka” conducted by IWMI between 2011 and 2012.
Description:
Department of Geography, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
katupotha@gmail.com
