Regreening the Coast: Community-Based Mangrove Conservation and Restoration in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The importance of mangrove ecosystems in abating and controlling adverse impacts of natural disasters including tropical storms and wave action has long been recognized globally. However, following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, there has been a special emphasis on reestablishing protective greenbelts such as mangroves along coastlines to reduce disaster risk. Sri Lanka, as an island nation, harbors nearly 12,000 ha of mangrove patches along the coast. In the past two decades, mangroves in the country have been destroyed and degraded significantly due to destruction of habitats and conversion to other uses. Conservation of mangrove forests has gained much attention in the recent past by different sectors due to their vulnerability to stressors and the ecological, social, and economic values of these habitats. Restoration and rehabilitation are among the available options in certain coastal areas in the island where mangrove communities have been degraded, disturbed, and destroyed to such an extent that it can no longer renewed naturally. As a result, there have been much involvements of the coastal communities and other conservation groups in mangrove conservation and restoration in Sri Lanka. This chapter focuses on two main aspects. It describes community-based mangrove conservation efforts in the country. Public awareness campaigns, efforts of capacity building, and skills development as well as disseminating of information are discussed. Secondly, it reports case studies and the steps taken by the communities to restore degraded habitats that include planning and implementation of projects. This chapter finally deals with the challenges faced by community efforts in mangrove conservation and restoration activities and the need of appropriate control over community projects by the government.