Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The reduction of the channel width has reduced the channel capacity; the
fl oral coverage and diversity in the stream corridors shows a decreasing
pattern towards the town resulting in an increased risk of fl ooding. Meda
Ela and Akurana experienced unprecedented fl oods in the recent past as
a direct result of the stream channel encroachment for the construction of
residential and commercial buildings. Recent severe fl oods caused damage
to the properties of Akurana. The river fl ows into the stagnant water
body of the Polgolla barrage resulting in the aggradations of the lower
reaches. Increased garbage and environmental pollution are major issues
in the urban environments of the Sri Lankan Highlands. Kandy, Matale
and Nuwara Eliya are some of the municipalities which are suffering
from increased garbage pollution owing to a lack of proper dumping or
recycling methods. As of today, infrastructure for garbage collection is
lacking in most municipal areas. This has increased uncontrolled scattering
and dumping of garbage everywhere in the urban and suburban areas in
the highlands, as there is a high potential of water pollution threats due to
garbage accumulation. For example, solid wastes getting into water ways
at the higher watershed areas lead to serious situations like overfl ow fl oods
and reduction of water storage capacity of reservoirs associated with hydro
power generation. Also, the occurrence of water-borne and water associated
diseases is increasing and reports of dengue epidemics in the central region
points out the emerging challenges.
The increased garbage quantity also causes slower water fl ow in many
drainage channels in the Sri Lankan Highlands and provides breeding
places for disease vectors such as rats and mosquitoes. Pinga Oya, Nanu
Oya, Geli Oya, Kandy and especially Meda-Ela are the best examples of
polluted streams due to solid waste. Most of the solid waste transfer points
are located close to the most sensitive locations such as water ways, road
sides, schools, and so on, which poses several health risks (Dissanayake,
unpubl. data 2012). Open dumping sites (e.g., Gohagoda in Kandy) cause
pollution of ground and surface-water sources (Fig. 15.7). Open burning
of waste without any government regulation is widespread in the country
and causes bad smell and air pollution in neighborhoods. It contributes to
atmospheric pollution and may cause serious health problems. The river
water is also contaminated with fertilizer and pesticides, sewerage, and
other types of waste from the residential and commercial establishments
located on either side of the channel. This causes the spreading of water-
borne diseases (Dissanayake 2009a, Dissanayake 2009b, Piyasiri 2009).
Although Sri Lanka has adequate rules and regulations with regard to
environment conservation the implementation mechanism has weaknesses
that prevent a proper implementation.
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