Occasional Papers of IUCN Sri Lanka No. 15, March 2013 Insights into the biodiversity of the Sampur area in Trincomalee A.Wadugodapitiya, V. Weeratunge, S. de A. Goonatilake, D. Chandranimal, N. Perera and C. Asela. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sri Lanka Country Office i Occasional Papers of IUCN Sri Lanka The role of IUCN Sri Lanka embodies the overall mission of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature: to help nations throughout the world to protect and use sustainably their natural resources for the benefit of all their people. In serving this mission, IUCN Sri Lanka aims to contribute towards the development and implementation of appropriate conservation policies, based on scientific information in the field of nature conservation. The Occasional Paper series reports on the outcomes of research and project work conducted by IUCN staff and their collaborators, covering a wide range of subjects related to conservation – from biodiversity assessments to participatory conservation approaches. This objective of the present Occasional Paper series is to share these lessons learnt from the wealth of field experience, amongst a wider audience and to provide scientific information relevant to conservation action. The papers will be kept simple and non-technical. It is intended that the series will contribute towards conservation action and will be used extensively by policy makers, managers of natural resources, researchers, students and the public at large. The occasional papers are published and distributed electronically (http://www.iucn.org). ii Occasional Papers of IUCN Sri Lanka No. 15, March 2013 Insights into the biodiversity of the Sampur area in Trincomalee A. Wadugodapitiya, V. Weeratunge, S. de A. Goonatilake, D. Chandranimal, N. Perera and C. Asela. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature iii This publication has been prepared by IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. Published by: IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Copyright: © 2013, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non- commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: Wadugodapitiya, A., Weeratunge, V., Goonatilake, S. de A., Chandranimal, D., Perera, N., and Asela, C. (2013) Insights into the biodiversity of the Sampur area in Trincomalee. Occ.pap.IUCN, Sri Lanka. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sri Lanka. viii+54pp. ISBN: 978-955-0205-19-6 Front cover photograph by: Sampath de A Goonatilake @ IUCN Sri Lanka Back cover photograph by: Vimukthi Weeratunga Available at: http://www.iucn.org iv SURVEY TEAM AND COORDINATION Flora and fauna Mr. Vimukthi Weeratunga (Principal Investigator) Mr. Sampath de A. Goonatilake (Fauna) Mr. Dilup Chandranimal (Flora) Mr. Naalin Perera (Fauna) Mr. Asela Chandana (Fauna) Archaeology Mr. Sampath de A. Goonatilake GIS mapping Mrs. Dilhari Weragodetenna Editing Ms. Avanti Wadugodapitiya Photos Vimukthi Weeratunga Sampath de A Goonatilake @IUCN Sri Lanka v CONTENTS Abbreviations-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii Acknowledgements--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------viii 1. Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 2. Objectives-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 3. Methodology--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 4 Habitats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 5. Flora --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 6. Fauna ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 7. Sites of Archaeological interests --------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 8. Key Observations and Recommendations -------------------------------------------------------- 17 9. References------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Annexures Annex 1: List of floral species recorded in the Sampur area--------------------------------------- 20 Annex 2: List of faunal species recorded in the Sampur area ------------------------------------- 33 Annex 3: Photo-catalogue of Sampur area------------------------------------------------------------- 46 vi ABBREVIATIONS BrR - Breeding Resident Species CoS - Conservation Status CR - Critically Endangered Species CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility DD - Data Deficient Species EN - Endangered Species EX - Exotic Species GBH - Girth at breast height IAS - Invasive Alien Species IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature MI - Migratory Species NT - Near Threatened Species Pro: endemic - Provisional Endemic Species SpS - Species Status VES - Visual Encounter Survey VU - Vulnerable Species WV - Winter Visitor vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Occasional Paper is based on work carried out by IUCN Sri Lanka in early 2010. IUCN acknowledge gratefully the support provided by the Director General of Naval Operations Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera, Rear Admiral Shiranta Udawatte, and the Commander of the Sampur Naval Base, Commmodore Fernando. We are very grateful to Leading Seaman Kumara and Leading Seaman Premasiri for accompanying the IUCN team during field work in the Sampur area, while providing full security to the research team. viii 1. INTRODUCTION The Trincomalee District is located in the northeastern region of Sri Lanka, approximately 250 km from Colombo. Trincomalee – referred to historically as Gokanna - is most famous for its secure and deep natural harbour, which is accessible to all types of crafts in all weather conditions, and has been considered an important sea port in the Indian Ocean throughout history. Similarly, the area is renowned for its immense natural wealth, as it supports abundant fisheries resources, as well as large marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. The major economic activities of the district are agriculture and fishing, while Trincomalee also supports a range of recreational activities such as surfing, scuba diving, fishing and whale-watching. One of the largest Dutch forts found in the country is situated in the city of Trincomalee, while a number of military bases, including several major Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force bases, are located in the area at present. Given its strategic, economic, ecological and recreational importance, Trincomalee flourished in the past, and attracted large numbers of tourists to the area. However, its progress was halted abruptly due to the ethnic conflict, which spanned three decades, and was most intense in the north and east of the country. Given the appeal of its location, its harbour and its natural resources, to potential investors, several major development initiatives have been planned by the Government of Sri Lanka in the Trincomalee District following the conclusion of the conflict in 2009. The Sampur area of the Trincomalee District has been earmarked, specifically, for development as an industrial zone. However, the area features several natural terrestrial and marine habitats that have remained undisturbed due, primarily, to the fact that only one small is located in the vicinity, with the lifestyles and agricultural practices of the residents of this settlement having a minimal impact on the ecological integrity of the area. As such, an assessment of the biodiversity of the area is necessary to ascertain the feasibility of planned development work, with respect to the potential impacts of these activities on the biodiversity of the area. Given the development activities planned for the Sampur area following the end of the war, it is crucial that insights are gained into the natural resources found in the area through an ecological assessment. Such a study can provide basic information on the types of habitats, as well as the floral and faunal species, of the area, while observations can be made with regard to relevant conservation issues and threats to the biodiversity of Sampur. The findings of such an ecological assessment can, therefore, facilitate the development of suitable management plans for the area, and allow the identification of areas suitable for development activities, as well as sensitive conservation areas. Similarly, these findings can be used to inform future development plans, so as to avoid or mitigate the potential environmental and ecological impacts that can arise from these development activities. The study area Sampur is located between 8° 29'.88" N - 81° 18'.14" E (Kattaparichchan) and 8° 31'.30" N - 81°19'.26" E (Foul Point lighthouse) at the southern tip of Koddiyar Bay and falls under the Muttur and Kinniya Divisional Secretariat Divisions. It is approximately 4, 000 ha in extent, and 1 is bordered on the west by Koddiyar Bay, on the east by the Indian Ocean, and on the south by Kattaparichchan. Although the majority of the area falls under state ownership, it has been observed