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25th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2020 Post Covid 19’ Environment and Society Proceedings of the International Forestry and Environment Symposium Volume 25 (2020) 22-23 of January 2021 University of Sri Jayewardenepura Organised by Department of Forestry and Environmental Science University of Sri Jayewardenepura i ©University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2020 ISSN: 2235-9427 Online Version of Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium http://journals.sjp.ac.lk/fesympo ISSN: 2235-9427 Editorial Board Prof. S.M.C.U.P. Subasinghe Prof. H.S. Amarasekara Prof. U.A.D.P. Gunawardane Dr. D.T. Jayawardana Compiled by Ms. P.A.S.U. Panagoda Ms. G.M.W.K. Nuwanthi Ms. R.P. Hettiarachige Ms. G.L.H.S. Himandi Ms. P.H.G. Perera Ms. N.U. Samarasekara Cover designed by The Professional One Organised by Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Sponsored by Tokyo Cement Group Control Union Inspections (PVT) Ltd Symposium Chair Prof. S.M.C.U.P. Subasinghe Symposium Coordinator Dr. D.T. Jayawardana ii Panel of Reviewers Senior Prof. D.M.H.S.K. Ranasinghe Senior Prof. B.M.P. Singhakumara Prof. H.S. Amarasekara Prof. N.J.G.J. Bandara Prof. S.M.C.U.P. Subasinghe Prof. U.A.D.P. Gunawardane Dr. P.K.P. Perera Dr. D.T. Jayawardana Dr. G.G.T. Chandrathilake Dr. V.M. Jayasooriya Dr. C.D.K. Pathirana Dr. D. Rajapaksa Dr. M. Munasinghe Dr. K. Ranatunga iii PREFACE International Forestry and Environment Symposium organised by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura has a long history which goes back to 1995, where the first event was held under the theme of “Forestry for Development”, at Coral Gardens Hotel, Hikkaduwa. Since this inaugural event, throughout the years, the symposium has obtained a wide recognition among academics and professionals in the forestry and environmental sectors, both Sri Lanka and overseas. Currently, the symposium is recognised as the oldest and most renowned forestry and environment symposium in South Asia, where the researchers, academia, professionals, policy makers, and the industries, annually publish, discuss and learn about the latest developments in forestry and environment sectors. Apart from furnishing a platform for sharing latest research outcomes related to forestry and environment sector, the International Forestry and Environment Symposium holds up in making a regional and national impact by sharing knowledge and ideas that covers a wide range of sub disciplines related to the fields of forestry and environmental sciences. This year, the International Forestry and Environment Symposium celebrates its Silver Jubilee under the theme of “Post Covid 19: Environment and Society” presenting research findings under 10 major themes namely, Covid 19 on Society and Environment, Forest and Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism, Waste Management and Pollution Control, Environmental Engineering and Green Technology, Environmental Economics in Resource Management, Wood Science, Wood and Non- Wood Industry, Biomass and Sustainable Energy, Geology, Soil and Disaster Management, Climate Change and Water Resource Management. The symposium proceedings contain 101 abstracts of scientific studies from both local and international researchers. The 25th International Forestry and Environment Symposium is supported by the generous financial assistance from Tokyo Cement Group and Control Union Inspections (Pvt) Ltd and University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The symposium organizing committee would like to express their sincere gratitude for these funding partners and sponsors for their support in making this event a reality. Further, we extend our gratitude towards all authors, reviewers, participants, and session chair persons, academic and non-academic staff members of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science and the students for their persevering support in making this event a success. Symposium Organising Committee Department of Forestry and Environmental Science 22nd January 2021 iv Message from Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment It is my great pleasure to address at the opening of Silver Jubilee of International Forestry & Environment symposium 2020, under the umbrella theme of “Post COVID 19 – Environmental & Society” organised by the Department of Forestry & Environmental Science of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. I would like to express my warmest gratitude, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka to the Department of Forestry & Environmental Science of University of Sri Jayewardenepura for organising and hosting the oldest Annual Forestry and Environment Research Conference in South Asia making a good platform for the researchers, academia, professionals, policy makers and the industry to network, share and disseminate their findings and experiences in the environmental management sector. Department of Forestry and Environmental Science is the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka, which has been offering both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Forestry and Environmental Science since 1983. The Department has been able to reach wide horizons in training professionals who are contributing effectively to sustain the country’s development process. Around 500 students have been trained since 1983; many of them are employed in the Forestry and environmental sector in local institutions as well as in the international context. A considerable number of students of the Department have been contributing to the national Environmental Management of the country. Majority of higher management of the Central Environmental Authority which is the major environmental regulatory authority of the country, are postgraduate holders of the Department of Forestry & Environmental Science. It’s a privilege for the Central Environmental Authority to have several special degree holders of the Department in the technical staff as young professionals, since they have been especially trained to contribute in multi-dimensions in environmental management. There are several alumni of the Department serving at the Ministry of Environment as well as at the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau which is mainly involved in promoting the conservation and management of the mineral resources of the country. I strongly believe that the department is able to complete its mission to assist in the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment through the commitment of students who have been serving in the different environmental management agencies all over the world. University of Sri Jayewardenepura is a historic and unique education institution in South Asia. It was founded in 1873 by the erudite Buddhist monk Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera as the ‘Vidyoodaya Privena’, a Buddhist Educational Institution. Since then the University has educated a wide range of notable alumni, including ministers and many heads of state departments and authorities, founders of reputed organisations, researchers, innovators and a vast number of professionals of diverse institutions around the world. v Research and innovation are the driving forces of any developing nation. The University is also in the forefront of research and innovation with over 25 nationally important research centres under the ‘’Research Council’ and the ‘Invention, Innovation and Venture Creation Council’ with over 50 Entrepreneurs and stakeholders with over 15 patents. Since the onset of the current epidemic in Sri Lanka, the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University has been supporting the Ministry of Health in sequencing the virus variants with the emergence of different types of novel SARS-CoV2 variants from several countries. The very first ‘Forestry symposium’ by the Department of Forestry & Environmental Science was held at the Coral Gardens Hotel, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka under the theme of ‘Forestry for Development’ in 1995. 38 research papers have been presented by local researchers there. Since 1995 the conference series has been covering a broad spectrum of relevant themes, methodologies, and research approaches including empirical, conceptual, review and case studies in the field of Forestry and Environmental Science. These two days will offer a range of sessions designed to explore the delivery of effective and impactful research at the University and beyond. I am sure that this international research conference would also promote scientific information interchange between researchers, scientists, academicians, developers, students, policy makers and practitioners working in and around the world. vi Message from Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage Vice-Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura It is with great pleasure that I write this message as the Vice- Chancellor to the proceedings of the 25th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2020 organised by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura as a Silver Jubilee Symposium. During the last ten years I have witnessed the progression and success of this symposium while I was in Office as the Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences. I am delighted to see the profound influence this symposium has on the field Forestry and Environmental Science. From its commencement, University of Sri Jayewardenepura has been guided by its motto “Vijja Uppattham Setta” (Among all that arise, knowledge is the greatest), taken from the Dhammapada. The
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