Sustainable Development of Delft Island: an Ecological, Socio-Economic and Archaeological Assessment
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Occasional Papers of IUCN Sri Lanka No. 14, January 2013 Sustainable Development of Delft Island: An ecological, socio-economic and archaeological assessment S. de A. Goonatilake, S. Ekanayake, T.P. Kumara, D. Liyanapathirana, D.K. Weerakoon and A. Wadugodapitiya International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sri Lanka Country Office 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). i Occasional Papers of IUCN Sri Lanka No. 14, January 2013 Sustainable Development of Delft Island: An ecological, socio-economic and archaeological assessment S. de A. Goonatilake, S. Ekanayake, T.P. Kumara, D. Liyanapathirana, D.K. Weerakoon and A. Wadugodapitiya IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature ii 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: Goonatilake, S. de A., Ekanayake, S., Kumara, T.P., Liyanapathirana, D., Weerakoon, D.K., and Wadugodapitiya, A. 2013. Sustainable Development of Delft Island: An ecological, socio-economic and archaeological assessment. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Colombo, Sri Lanka & Government of Sri Lanka. viii + 86 pp ISBN: 978-955-0205-18-9 Cover photograph by: Sampath de A Goonatilake @ IUCN Sri Lanka Available at: http://www.iucn.org iii SURVEY TEAM AND COORDINATION Fauna and Flora Mr. Sampath de A. Goonatilake (Fauna) Mr. Sarath Ekanayake (Flora) Marine Fauna Dr. P. B. Terney Pradeep Kumara Sociology Mr. Dayananda Liyanapathirana Archaeology Mr. Sampath de A. Goonatilake Project oversight Prof. Devaka Weerakoon Ms. Avanti Wadugodapitiya Coordination and editorial support Mr. Shamen Vidanage Mr. Bandula Withanachchi Ms. Manishka de Mel Ms. Shiranee Yasaratne Ms. Avanti Wadugodapitiya GIS mapping Mr. Kapila Gunaratne Ms. Darshani Wijesinghe iv CONTENTS Abbreviations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii Acknowledgements------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- viii 1. Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2. Objectives--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 3. Methodology ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 3.1 Study area -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 3.2 Assessment methods ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 3.2.1 Overall methodological approach ------------------------------------------------ 5 3.2.2 Selection of sample sites and sampling frequency --------------------------- 6 3.2.3 Methodology - inland floral survey------------------------------------------------ 6 3.2.4 Methodology - inland faunal survey ---------------------------------------------- 6 3.2.5 Identification of inland flora and fauna ------------------------------------------- 7 3.2.6 Methodology - marine biodiversity survey -------------------------------------- 8 3.2.7 Methodology - socioeconomic survey ------------------------------------------- 8 3.2.8 Methodology - archaeological survey -------------------------------------------- 8 4 Results ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 4.1 Inland biodiversity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 4.1.1 Habitats --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 4.1.2 Species -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 4.1.2a Flora -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 4.1.2b Fauna ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 4.2 Marine biodiversity around Delft Island ------------------------------------------------------ 16 4.2.1 Marine habitats ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 4.2.2 Marine species ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 4.2.2a Marine flora ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 4.2.2b Marine fauna --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 4.3 Community based natural resource uses -------------------------------------------------- 17 4.3.1 Marine resources -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 4.3.2 Terrestrial resources ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.4 Threats to the biodiversity and areas identified for development and conservation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 4.5 Socio-economics findings ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 4.5.1 Demographic profile of Delft Island --------------------------------------------------- 22 4.5.2 Administrative structure and land-use patterns ------------------------------------ 23 4.5.3 The economy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 4.5.4 Livelihoods --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 4.5.5 Infrastructure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 v 4.5.6 Defense and security -------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 4.5.7 Credit availability, cooperatives and banks ----------------------------------------- 29 4.6 Historical and archaeological findings ------------------------------------------------------- 29 4.6.1 Legends ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 4.6.2 Early Anuradhapura period ------------------------------------------------------------ 29 4.6.3 Colonial period ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 4.7 Tourism on Delft Island ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 4.7.1 Places of interest -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 4.7.2 Cleanliness and solid waste disposal------------------------------------------------- 34 4.7.3 Development of sustainable tourism on Delft Island ------------------------------ 34 5. Recommendations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 6. References -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Annex 1: Sampled habitats and relevant uses and threats ---------------------------------------- 43 Annex 2: Flora checklist for Delft Island ---------------------------------------------------------------- 44 Annex 3: Flora checklist with respect to habitats ----------------------------------------------------- 50 Annex 4: Terrestrial fauna checklist with respect to habitats ------------------------------------- 62 Annex 5: Marine flora and fauna recorded around Delft Island ----------------------------------- 71 Annex 6: Photo-catalogue of Delft Island -------------------------------------------------------------- 75 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