Impacts of restoration of ulpotha micro-cascade in Galkiriyakanda cascade on environment and rural livelihood

Abstract

This dissertation identifies and analyses the restoration efforts of Ulpotha micro-cascade located in the Galkiriyakanda cascade. The ‘Case Study’ methodology was used for the research. A Conceptual Framework has been established (with five independent variables and one dependent variable) based on five hypothesis developed. The research question mainly focused on ‘positive changes and possible gaps in the Ulpotha restoration efforts’. Analyses in the dissertation include changes in forest, environment, hydrology and other socio-economic impacts on Walathwewa and Ihala Thimbiriyawa village communities who are dependent on it for living and livelihoods. The Galkiriyakanda cascade is located in the northern part of Kurunegala district. Galkiriyakanda stretches about 10 km and covers area of 1,106 hectares. There are about 1,500 households living around this cascade. Galkiriyakanda has many micro-cascades and Ulpotha is the major micro-cascade which is the main focus of this study. All most all communities live on agriculture and irrigated paddy is the main crop cultivate in the area. The cascade and communities faced many challenges during the recent past and degradation of cascade was the main threat to environment and rural livelihood. Research discusses in detail the impacts made by the rehabilitation efforts done in Ulpotha micro-cascade during 2004 – 2011 through Sri Lanka Australia Natural Resource Management Program (SLANRMP). Required information and data were collected through a Likert scale questionnaire and SPSS system has been used to analyse the data collected. Relationships between independent variables and the dependent variable have been analysed under five main hypotheses. The results of this study indicate positive impacts of the Ulpothe micro-cascade rehabilitation towards physical environment, livelihood and rural economic development. Findings of this study will help administrators, policy makers and rural development planners to expand and replicate this development model to other dry zone cascades as well. In addition, another important area of hydrology and indigenous irrigation in cascade was also identified as potential research areas for PhD studies.