Mannar

Jaffna

Knuckles

Coastal Zone from Mannar-Jaffana

Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus

Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha (CR)

Crab Plover Dromas ardeola (CR)

Long-Tailed Shrike Lanius schach (VU)

Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

Black Kite Milvus migrans

Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis

Saunder’s Tern Sterna saundersi (CR)

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Butterflies that are Restricted to North

Azanus ubaldus Bright Babel Blue (CR)

Junonia hiertaYellow Pansy (CR)

Butterflies that are Restricted to North

Colotis faustaLarge Salmon Arab (VU)

Colotis danaeCrimson Tip (VU)

Butterflies that are Restricted to North

Byblia ilithyia Joker (VU)

Coastal Zone from Mannar-Jaffana

• Dry mixed Ever green forests support many large charismatic species– Asian Elephants– Leopard– Sloth Bear

• 26 species of threatened animals and 55 species of threatened plants

• Off shore habitats such as coral reefs, sea grass beds that are inhabited by globally endangered Dugong

• Therefore number of critical protected areas have been designated in this region

PA Network• Vankalai S• Wedathalaithivu

NR• Adams Bridge NP• Delft Island NP

Threats and Opportunities• Mostly Farmers or Fishers• Inadequate income generation• Overexploitation of natural resources• Loss of habitat due to rapid development• Destruction of coral reefs due to illegal

harvesting• To improve livelihoods and thereby reduce

dependence on natural resources• Making resource use sustainable• Convert natural resource use from that of

exploitation to non exploitation through development of nature based tourism involving communities

Urban Wetlands in Colombo

Urban Wetlands in Colombo – a haven in the heart of the city

A wildlife haven – endangered species living in the heart of the city

A large population of Aquatic birds

FoodFresh waterFibre and fuelBiochemicalGenetic materials

Provisioning

Soil formationNutrient cycling

Supporting

Climate regulation Water regulationWater purification and waste treatmentErosion regulationNatural hazard regulationPollination

Regulating

Spiritual and inspirationalRecreationalAestheticEducational

Cultural

Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Wetland services and benefits

40% of wetlands lost since 1980s, 1.2% continues each year

Complete wetland loss1 in 2 year flood – 0.5m flood level increase1 in 10 year flood – 0.8m flood level increase1 in 100 year flood – 1.8m flood level increase

However these urban wetlands in Colombo are threatened and being lost

Waste water pollution – 65% of water quality in canal network is bad quality

Distribution of Alien Invasive Species

Urban Wetland can improve air quality, climate and can provide important recreational spaces

East Kolkata Wetlands Park

Colombo now has wetland visitor attractions in Beddegana and Thalawathugoda

Major Diversions New Mutwal Tunnel St. Sebastian North Canal

St. Sebastian South Diversion

Kolonnawa Canal Diversion

PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS BY SLLRDC FOR MUCDP FLOOD

MITIGATION

Threats and Opportunities• Abandoning of farming – lack of returns, salinity

intrusion, shortages of water• Conversion• Encroachment• Release of solid waste and waste water• Invasive alien species • To provide better incentives for the farmers –

crop diversification, reviewing traditional practices such as Koratu,

• Exploit nature tourism potential • Community based initiatives to reduce wetland

degradation, reduce human-wildlife conflict

Thank You…