Analysis of Socio-economic and Environmental Problems of Reclamation of Low Lands in the Colombo District (Based on Filed Survey in Dehiwela- Mount Lavinia Divisional Secretarial Division)
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Date
1998
Authors
Ekanayake, Anula
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Scarcity of land is a common problem facedby all urban centers. As a solution, people tend todevelop and reclaim low lying landsfor their utilization. Low lying lands are also play a significant role in our ecologicalsystem. Reclamation of low lying land disturbs the balance of the nature of the living environment.The people living in those areas experience the problems related to such activities. The functional imbalance created by these has drawn the attention of the planners and the people who have concerns on urban development.
In Colombo district, most of the low lying lands in urban areas are being reclaimed in large scale by private sector aswell aspublic sector forthebenefit ofthe people, particularly to solve the problemof scarcity of land. If it were the only solution the process should be environmental friendly. The main objective of this study is to identify the relevant environmental, social and economic problems associated with the process ofland reclamation in low lying areas and to identify its harmful effects on the people who live in those urban areas.
All the data used in this study are collected from the people who live in selected urban areas within Colombo, Kotte, Nugegoda, Kaduwela and Dehiwala- Mount lavinia. I have adopted two methods for collecting of the data.
First, data and facts related to reclaimed land in urban areas were collected. Through a comprehensive literary survey, the historical background of the relevant areas and theexisting situation ofthose low lying lands were collected. The materials used were, the statistical report, magazines and publications.Publications related to thesocial environment and economic problems in these areas were limited due to improper land development programs implemented.
Secondly, primary data were collected from the selected residents living in three Grama Niladhari Divisions in Dehiwala-Mountlavinia Divisional Secretariat. Through this exercise it was possible to identify the ill effects of the process of land reclamation in low lying lands in these areas. To select the respondents a random sampling method was used. The prime reason for selecting this particular area is Bellanvila and Attidiya are ecologically important areas and theareas mostly affected by land development programmes conducted by government and non-government organizations. Before conducting this field investigation a pilot-survey was done in order toidentify the most suitable area to study this problem.
Parallel to the sample survey a data collection from the representatives of selected village organizations and the officers of relevant institutions was done, Fortheinterviews 250families wereselected. Before selecting the families for interviews, verification was done to clarify whether the families live in their ancestral lands or in the lands provided by the government.In order to support the filed data statistical charts, graphs,mapsand photographs were also used.
The important facts that could be identified by this research are as follows. As a result of this development programmers, most of the people who did not have shelter for their life or who could not afford to have a land got a plot of land. Infrastructure Development can be seen in some of these areas throught hese programs.The success of the main objective of reclamation of land is still a question, as these development programmers do not provide solutions to the problem of’ land scarecity facedby the people who liie in those urban areas.
The improper methods of land reclamation or land development has caused problems such as food during rairny seasons. water logging, haphazard sluni development,social hazardscaused tolocal residents, loss of cultivated lands.ground water pollution and generally, damage to the ectilogy of the area.The ill effectg faced by the people lixing need to be resolved. Inorder to overcome these problems a well planned development piopranis must be introdriced by the relevant authorities
This thesis contains six chapteis. The introduction to the problem ot the study, the research methodology used in the stuiiy and the limitations are given in the first chapter.The second chapter gives an introduction to low lying lands, the importance uses of those lands and the authorities invo1v'ed in reclamation and development programs.
Third chapter discusses the problems cropped up due to these irregular development programmed. Fourth cliapier highlights the information revealed from the field research.Fiflh chapter highIights the socialand emironment problems revealed by the field survey Finally, the last chapter includes synthesis of the problems based on the overall analysis of the problems, and suggestions based on the field survey.