A workshop for validation of the Landscape Management Plan prepared for “Hurulu-Kawdulla-Kanthale (HKK) was held on 23rd January 2020 at the Center for Banking Studies, Sri Jayawardanapura Mawatha, Rajagiriya.
Around 70 participants which included university professionals, technical experts in various fields, heads of Government Departments and senior officers of ministries, representatives from UNDP and WB and NGO’s were attend this workshop.
Ecosystem Conservation & Management Project, implemented by Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources is aimed at preparing two Landscape Management Plans for two selected sites from Dry Zone and Wet Zone.
This is a pilot exercise that provide guidance and experiences for stakeholders involved in the task. “Hurulu-Kawdulla-Kanthale (HKK) Landscape was the 1st pilot site selected and that covers major parts of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa & Trincomalee district in the Dry Zone.
HKK landscape, which consists of a complex of minor water catchments with high biodiversity, nourishes 6 major Oyas(Rivulets) and provides variety of ecosystem services. Due to unsustainable and unplanned land use practices, it suffers numerous environmental impacts as well as social issues such as land degradation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, climate change and occurring considerable number of deaths of elephants and human due to human-elephant conflict.
The management plan was prepared by a team of experts on various disciplines, leaded by expert from India who has International experiences working in India, Nepal, Tanzania, Bhutan and many other countries.
During the planning process large number of stakeholders, experts as well as local communities, CBOs and NGOs have been consulted.
It is considered a pilot exercise which carried out to acquire knowledge and experiences on this novel landscape planning approach widely adopted in other countries to enhance the ecosystem services as well as restoration of degraded lands. It also produces systematic land use plans which provide guidance for implementation of nationally important development projects earmarked for the area.
This landscape management plan will be submitted to Government through the Ministry of Environment Wild Life Resources and expected get a sanction as a policy and implemented in the landscape through all stakeholders.
