Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation in a Highly Modified Tropical River Basin in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Kelani River is the fourth longest river in the South-Asian island, Sri Lanka. It originates from the central hills and flows through a diverse array of landscapes, including some of the most urbanized regions and intensive land uses. Kelani River suffers a multitude of environmental issues: illegal water diversions and extractions, impoundment for hydroelectricity generation, and pollution, mostly from agrochemicals, urban runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic waste. Moreover, loss of riparian forest cover, sand-mining, and unplanned development in floodplains have accentuated the environmental damage. In this study, based on Kelani River basin, we reviewed the status of biodiversity, threats encountered, conservation challenges, and provided guidance for science-based conservation planning. Kelani River basin is high in biodiversity and endemism, which includes 60 freshwater fish species of which 30 are endemic. Urbanization related threats are more severe in the middle and lower reaches while agriculture and impoundments peril the river in upper reaches. Documentation of these threats can be dated back to 1980, yet, Sri Lankan government has failed to take substantial actions for sustainable management of Kelani River basin, despite the presence of nearly 50 legislations pertaining to water and land management. Given high biodiversity richness, human dependency, and evident ecological deterioration, Kelani River basin should be prioritized for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. Conservation and wise use of freshwater resources is a global concern, particularly for developing nations in Asia. Therefore, our review and guidance for scientifically informed conservation would serve as a prototype for basin-wide river management for Sri Lanka as well as for other developing nations of tropical Asia.

Relationships between Hydropower Generation and Rainfall-Gauged and Ungauged Catchments from Sri Lanka

“…is is very important in hydropower development, and ecological aspects should be well planned. is is to minimize the ecological damage by the hydropower stations [37][38][39][40][41]. erefore, the results of this research can be very useful in the protection of the ecology downstream of the minihydropower plant.…”

Multi-Decadal Forest-Cover Dynamics in the Tropical Realm: Past Trends and Policy Insights for Forest Conservation in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

“…Many weaknesses can be recognized in this legal framework of forest management in Sri Lanka. Primarily, there is a lack of coordination among different laws and different regulatory agencies [97]. Moreover, the on-ground enforcement of these laws is dubious and questionable.…”

“…Insufficient patrolling, political corruption and gross negligence could endanger forests even within protected areas. Short-term financial and political motivation, such as those that strive for immediate economic benefits from agriculture, have frequently shadowed those that generate long-term sustainable non-extraction benefits [97]. In order to strengthen the value of long-term ecological benefits of forest conservation, assigning a "dollar value" to ecosystem services delivered by intact forests can provide lasting solutions as monetary evaluations usually lead to politically palatable solutions [98,99].…”

Critical determinants on flooding: Perception analysis with reference to Kelani River in Sri Lanka

“…Sri Lanka is very rich with many water bodies including 103 rivers which are valuable gift from the Mother Nature (Surasinghe et al, 2020). However, sometimes those resources are acting against to the people because of natural and manmade causes.…”