Impact of Socioeconomic Factors and Environmental Changes on Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands - Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Responses and Adaptation - page 353

Figure 15.4. Recent settlement extensions near Nuwara Eliya (Breuste 2010).
Table 15.1. Forest cover in Sri Lanka.
Year Percentage
1881 84
1900 70
1956 44
1983 27
1992 24
Source: (Wicramagamage 1990, MF and E 1999, Ratnayake et al. 2011).
Water mismanagement and soil degradation
Water management schemes have changed the natural fl ow regimes of the
major rivers, resulting in sometimes higher fl ood fl ows, lower dry-season
fl ows, and the degradation of riparian and wetland habitats in the lower
catchment. Downstream water quality in the lower catchment area is being
degraded as a result of nutrient loading and pesticides from farm runoff.
Sediments and agrochemicals in runoff water lead to eutrophication of the
reservoirs. Chemical inputs to the agricultural systems in the upper and
lower catchment areas are degrading local surface and groundwater quality.