Support to the Government on Marine and Coastal Resource Management and Sustainable Livelihoods in Northern Sri Lanka
by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Sri Lanka (Intergovernmental organization)
As a follow up to IUCN led Gulf of Mannar Living Resources Study and deliberations between India and Sri Lanka in December 2014, in New Delhi, India, we wish to continue our support to Government of Sri Lanka to implement the nine recommendations arrived, among other things. One important area highlighted is the creation of enabling environment for communities to work with policy planners and adopt sustainable and resilient livelihoods to the extent that pressure on living resources are reduced to a sustainable level.
Coastal and marine resources in Northern Sri Lanka and the populations dependent on these resources are impacted by the climate vulnerabilities due to sea level rise, sea water intrusion into low coastal areas, prolonged droughts, localized floods and more frequent storm surges and cyclones. Human activities linked to destructive harvesting of marine and coastal living resources; lack of ecosystem services and knowledge of environmental processes; poor understanding of human actions and climate change impacts; land activities that are polluting and destroying habitats; and the prevailing extreme poverty of certain segments of the coastal population have been identified as the causes and barriers for sustainable and resilience based development.
Objectives:
1. To enhance the capacity of coastal resource managers through Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) learning programmes.
2. To assist the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystem in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar.
The following interventions are expected to be undertaken with the technical support of the partner agencies:
1. Preparation of sustainable development plan for 23 coastal islands in Palk Bay including alternative livelihoods for coastal communities to minimise pressure on coastal resources.
2. ICM learning programmes for coastal managers.
3. 100 km of North Western coastline protected with mangroves and other coastal forest plantation (500 ha approx.)
4. 20,000 ha of marine habitat mapped and conserved in the area of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar (coral reef dominated).
Follow-up mechanism
1. Continued support to the Government of Sri Lanka
Progress reports
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Community or Locally Managed Marine Areas
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Compliance, monitoring and enforcement
- Reduction and elimination fishing practices and gear that destroy/degrade marine habitat
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable fisheries
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
December 2019
Characterization of 23 coastal islands in Palk Bay
January 2022
Generate minimum of 300 livelihood opportunities
January 2022
20,000 ha of marine habitat mapped and conserved in the area of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar
June 2021
500 ha of coastal forest plantation
In-kind contribution
Coordination and Training Skills: IUCN
In-kind contribution
Equipment and Infrastructure: DWLC, NARA
In-kind contribution
Man power: SLN, SUDEESA, DCG
Staff / Technical expertise
Obtaining assistance from partners - DWLC, NARA, SUDEESA, OCUSL
Basic information
Time-frame: January 2018 - December 2022
Partners
IUCN (IGO)
National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) (Government, Scientific Community)
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) (Government)
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) (Government)
Department of Coastal Guards (DCG) (Government)
Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (CCD) (Government)
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) (Government)
Small Fisheries Federation of Sri Lanka (SUDEESA) (Local NGO)
Ocean University of Sri Lanka (OCUSL) (Academic Institution)
Ocean Basins
Beneficiary countries
Sri Lanka
Other beneficaries
Direct Beneficiaries - 5,000 vulnerable coastal population in the North-West region of Sri Lanka supported by the project.
Indirect Beneficiaries - population of 50,000 receiving reduced exposure and more awareness of climate change.
Contact information
Ananda Mallawatantri, Dr., Ananda.mallawatantri@iucn.org, +94 (11) 2682418
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Other SDGs
