WETLAND PROJECTService Learning of Faculty of Science

University of Colombo

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What is a Wetland ??

➢ A Wetland is a land area that is saturated with water , either permanently or seasonally , such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem

➢ Depth is generally not more than six meters

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Why Are Wetlands Important ?

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Nature Park Vs Urban Park

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• Secure the wetland and improve it for its expected benefits.

• Secure the life and ecosystem of the wetland.

• Create an educational environment in the wetland.

• Success as a nature trail. (wetland park)

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• Build the proposed bridges as an entrance to the wetland.

• Clean and develop the dam

• Complete the nature trail at least up to the watch tower.

• Build the watch tower

• Implement benches and other resting places.

• Implement information boards.

• Arrange activities for children and adults.

• Clean the canal and other water resources.

• Replace plants to improve the value of the wetland.

• Educate the near residencies about the value of the wetland.

• Ensure the safety of the implemented facilities.

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Methodology

Phase 1

● Discussions about the project

outline and project activities.

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Methodology

Identified Threats:● Attitude of the residents.● Invasive fauna and flora.

o Pond Apple. o Thilapia.o Knife fish.

● Unauthorized constructions on the wetland premises.

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● Initial cost for the project was calculated.

● Required labour and equipment:

● Pontoon / Boat ● 4 to 5 labourers to clear the path

and operate the Pontoon/across the canal.

● Two Knives and two sickles ● Boots 8 pairs

Methodology

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Geographical Map of the Kolonnawa Marsh

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● Identification of the wetland entrance.

○ Three possible entrance were identified.

○ At each entrance following key factors were collected and analyzed.

■ Ease of access.

■ Lower disturbance.

■ Car park facilities.

■ Wetland environment of the selected area.

Phase 2

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Entry point –Option 01

Phase 2

● First option: from the border of the Madinnagoda temple.

● The biodiversity of the associated area was observed and noted down.

● Temple

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Entry point –Option 02

Phase 2

● Second option: was to use the area near new Madinnagoda road (near the Harward dam area)

● Due to illegal residents and with the constraint of our limited 6 months time frame and political background.

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Phase 2

Entry point –Option 03

● Third option was to use Gamage watte (near the new gothatuwa road) area.

● It is a highly populated area and relatively less polluted than the option 01 and 02.

● Then the environmental factors of the area were analyzed.

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Phase 3

● Drawing up the design specifications.

● Time frame: 6 monthsActivities :● Board walk● Watch tower● Tarzan rope / High ropes● Step path● Information boards● Design benches● Design study area● Design bridge● Design an Entrance

● Finally the project proposal was presented.

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Phase 4

Coordinate and Manage wetland study park Creation.

● Pre-treat the dry and wet weather stormwater flows.

● Remove unwanted pond apple trees and replace other wetland plants.

● Restoration of the canal.

● Do all the development WITHOUT any harm to the ecosystem.

● SLLR&DC provided 6 labourers to carry out the work.

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Results

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Entrance

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Entrance :

OptionsMadinnagoda

TempleMadinnagoda

RoadGamage Watta

EasyAccess

Disturbance

Car Parking

WetlandDiversity

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Bridges

Problem:● Continue the paths across the canals● An eco-friendly solution needed.

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The Solution

● A bridge made up with logs.

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Access path

● Need a path to the wetland study area

Options● Step path● Boardwalk

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Access path

● Step path using logs

● Minimum disturbance

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Research area

● A Place to facilitate Researches

● Also act as resting places

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● Need a way to observe Different Diverse areas

● With minimum disturbance to the wetland

Walk path

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Sketches

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Reduce Soil ErosionCover the wetland from outside

Planting Bamboo and Kaduru Trees

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Before After

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Information Boards

● Functions of the Wetland

● Importance in preserving Wetlands

● Biodiversity within the Wetland

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Horizontal Board

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Sinhala

English

ImagesClear Background&Interesting Design

Vertical Board

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● Optimal height for birdwatching● Can observe the wetland

Watchtower

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Research on Pond Apple

● Find out where the pond apple trees

have invaded

● What would be the replaceable trees

● How it could be done

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● Map the entire area and identify the important locations

● Identify most suitable locations for future developments

● Submit a report to the authorities on future phases of the project

Overall Research on Wetland

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Labour Handling & Budget Control

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● Most difficult part of the project

● A Supervisor, an Architect and an

Assistant Engineer to Supervise

appointed for the site

● 8 labors worked

● 6 days per week

Labour Handling

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Description Unit Qty Rate Amount

1 Cleaning the canal bank and surroundings Days 37 1190 44,030.00

2 Planting small plants at canal bank (Kumbuk, Bamboo, Ariconut)

Days 30 1190 35700.00

3 Supply and transporting Plants Nos 20 1000 20000.00

4 Cleaning the walking path Days 32 1190 38,080.00

5 Rubble packing in marshy areas of the foot path m3 5 2000 10000.00

6 Supply and fixing of vertical timber posts for waiting areas I,II,III

Nos 35 3150 110250.00

7 Labour for fixing the timber posts Days 21 1190 24990.00

8 Constructing timber bridge m 6 2250 13500.00

9 Watering the plants Days 21 1190 24,990.00

10 Transporting labours and materials from tractor Days 104 900 93,600.00

Total 415,140.00

Budget of the Project

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Problems Faced

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Problems Faced

❖No clear specification about the project at the beginning.

❖Requirements changed rapidly throughout the time.

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Problems Faced

❖Couldn’t mark the key project areas in the initial visits due to GPS problems.

❖ Lack of information about the wetland ➢ No proper research done previously.➢ SLLRDC only had maps taken from google.

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Problems Faced

❖ Agreed project scope turned out to be infeasible.➢ No soil research done previously.➢ Limited time.

❖ Identification of the actual project area was too time consuming.

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Problems Faced

❖Difficulties faced when exploring the project area.

High plant density

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Problems Faced❖Difficulties faced when exploring the project

area.

Small canals Muddy surface

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Problems Faced

❖ Safety issues.

➢ Crocodile and snakes

➢ Sinking in mud

➢ Unsafe pontoon

and boat rides

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Problems Faced

❖ Labour issues.

➢ Idling due to lack ofsupervision provided

➢ Low productivity

➢ Being absent

➢ No motivation due to heavy work load

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Problems Faced

❖Delay of material consignments and labour.

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Problems Faced

❖ Implementing structures with minimum damage to the wetland

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Problems Faced

❖ Falling behind the schedule due to flood issues.

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CONCLUSION

Our Project● Kolonnawa Wetland Park project : DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN and

IMPLEMENTATION of the first ever wetland park in Sri Lanka

Main Aspects Of The Project ● Restoration of the kolonnawa marsh to a tidal wetland,● Enhance the Economic value of Kolonnawa Area● Provide a facility to the environmentalists and students to

conduct their researches etc...

Mainly We Needed To

“restore the Kolonnawa Mash so it becomes a destination for people to enjoy. ”

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THE JOURNEY

To Start Off with “The Idea Was To Build A BUTTERFLY GARDEN”

But At The End Idea Of “ WETLAND PARK “ Won the most Votes

The Whole Project Was Divided Into 2 Phases.Phase 1 : Develop the necessary facilities to conduct the RESEARCH

Phase 2 : Research , Design Specifications And the Implementation.

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PHASE 1 (OUR ACHIEVEMENTS)

Targets And Objectives Of Phase 1

1) Bridge on the canal bank:

2) Access path to the inner wetland:

3) Inner wetland research area and study area:

4) Wetland Walk:

5) Planting Bamboo and Kaduru Trees:

6) Information Boards:

7) Phase 2:

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WHAT WE GAINED IN THIS JOURNEY

SKILL WE GAINED

1) We Improved Our Leadership Skills.

● We had take lead on the field so the employees also get motivated.

● We made them feel important, ● we gain their willingness to work for us. ● We asked for their advice. ● We collected facts and data before planning

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2) We Improved Our Communicational Skills.

● Communication was Important to us

● We always asked questions.

● That way the employees are focused on the objective.

● We listened to others point of view and understood them.

● We communicated with different levels people in different ways

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3) We Improved Our Listening Skills.

● we always listened to what others had to stay.

● We always gave them the chance and even if we did not agree

● By listening we always managed to see many other different views

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4) We Improved Our Teamwork.

● Teamwork is what kept us going

● We got to know each other.

● We created bonds and backed each other up

● We worked together to get through problems.

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Our Presentation Skills

● We created advertising boards

● we improved our graphics skills

● we improved our graphical presentational skills

● and we improved our english presentational skills

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