ABSTRACT

The study highlights the importance of the South West coast line to Sri
Lanka, the problems and main causes of coastal erosion, and the current
strategy of the government relating to the erosion issue. The study
emphasises alternative solutions using innovative methods to overcome
erosion issues in the short and long term. The proposals focus on
dynamic areas like Hikkaduwa and Galle port, which are of major
economic significance.
INTRODUCTION
Sri Lanka is an island nation, with 1620 km of coastline of which 300 km
are beaches and sand dunes (CCD, 2007) with various geomorphologic
features such as lagoons, bays, headlands and peninsulas. All these play
a vital role in the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.
The South Western
coastline stretching
from Colombo to
Galle, constitutes
15 percent of total
land area, and is
occupied by 40
percent of the
population (CCD,
2007). Fishing,
tourism, trade and
manufacturing are
key economic
sectors in the SW
coastal region. According to CCD annual report 40 percent of the
countrys GDP and 70 percent of total industrial output comes from the
SW coastal zone. Coastal tourism for the region represents 80 percent of
the total tourism infrastructure in Sri Lanka. As a developing nation,
tourism is very important to Sri Lanka.
Coastal erosion was not recognized as a critical problem until the 20
th

century due to lack of research and knowledge of the economic
implications of erosion damage, but today it has become one of the
countrys most formidable challenges due to the disruption of coast-based
activities which have high economic value. Additionally the coastal erosion
influences ecological values, which directly affects socio economic values.
Coastal erosion creates many socio economic issues. The largest
problem is the negative impact on the lives of people who live in low-lying
lands. Another issue is loss of valuable land and infrastructure where high
demand is created by increasing population and scarcity of land. Damage
to the cultural values of people who have settled in the region since
ancient times has also been observed in studies.
Unfortunately, it has been observed that most of the SW coastline has
been subject to erosion for many years and it is important to rapidly
identify the causes and propose sustainable solutions to reverse the
current situation.
EROSION ON SOUTH WEST COASTLINE
Beach erosion is when sand supplied to a particular coastal area is less
than what is carried away from that area. The key resources that nourish
the beach sand in Sri Lanka are sediment carried down by the rivers,
sediments from eroding coastal features and off shore sands brought on
shore.
The SW coastline has been identified as the highest eroded coastline. It
has been determined that natural actions, human activities, and biological
activity are the three major causes for coastal erosion. This coastline is
mainly subject
to SW
monsoon in
May to
September and
Inter monsoons
from April to
May, when the
area is
influenced by
wind climate
with moderate
wave height.
The monsoon
generated high
intensity waves
enhance the
erosion.
The dynamic
nature of the
shore line itself
influences
erosion. In
contrast to bay
and headland
coastlines,
straight coastlines are more vulnerable to erosion as they have little or no
major natural fixed erosion protection. Further erosion happens due to off
shore loss of sand created by sea level rise and extreme events like high
waves, high tides and storm surges which eventually result in cross shore
loss of sand.
Natural erosion is added to by human activities. A breakwater, which was
constructed north of Negombo as part of a project to build a fishing
harbour along the straight portion of coast is a good example of a poorly
researched and designed structure which resulted in washing away a
fishing village situated north of the breakwater.
Other examples of adverse human intervention are beach sand mining in
Panadura, Lunawa and Angulana areas reducing beach sand volumes
available for littoral process; river sand mining along the Nilwala, Gin
ganga, Kalau ganga and Kelani rivers reducing sand supply to the beach;
collecting coral from beaches and shoreface; and reef breaking or
dynamiting coral for fishing. These human activities reduce the volume of
beach material and damage the reef, which acts as a small buffer to the
wave erosion.
GOVERNMENT STRATEGY ON SOUTH WEST
COASTLINE
In September 1981 the Sri Lankan government published the Coast
Conservation Act. As required by the Act the Coast Conservation
Department (CCD) was established in 1983 to develop a coastal zone
management plan. In 1988, the Colombo coast protection scheme, the
Moratuwa coast protection scheme and the coast protective scheme for
the area between Beruwela and Weligama were all commenced by the
CCD as the initial major projects to protect the SW coast line (CCD,1990).
Since commencement of those major projects, there was no further
information about any other significant projects implemented by the CCD
until the tsunami strike in December 2004. After the tsunami disaster, the
CCD implemented a new Coastal Zone Management Plan, along with
Disaster Management Center. The key aims of the plan were to construct
the setback, reconstruct the coastal defense system, and rehabilitate the
sand dunes and green belt around the coast line before the SW monsoon
started.
CCD spent $15 million to reconstruct hard defense structures,
approximately 3km long, comprising revetments, groynes and offshore
breakwaters near the most significant areas such as Galle port and
Hikkaduwa tourist zone. As a developing country Sri Lanka could not
afford to lose these valuable assets. Even though the government spent
millions to construct the defense systems, it still failed to provide the
required erosion protection, because structures did not perform as
expected due to lack of technology, understanding about environmental
stability and poor planning. This failure highlights the necessity for a well
planned and engineered sustainable coastal management plan.
PROPOSALS
In the long run proposals for managing protection of the coastal line and
preventing erosion should be technically engineered to incorporate social,
economic and environmental factors to be considered a successful
sustainable solution. Each proposal should consider the current requisite
need of each location. In every case, it is important to consider the prime
elements or essence of immediate or long-term actions.
In a Sri Lankan
context, as a
developing country,
great care should
be taken in
selecting an
appropriate budget
for the proposal,
and determining
that the proposal is
able to recover the
cost thus gaining
optimal value for
the money.
Hard Engineering
and Soft
Engineering
solutions are the
two methods to
prevent beach
erosion. The hard
solution
incorporates
permanent
structures that
reflect or disperse
incoming waves
such as Sea walls,
offshore
breakwater, and
Groynes. Soft
solutions, which do
not involve
hardened
structures, include
natural interventions
such as beach nourishment, and sand dune stabilization.
The main concern of any targeted proposal is to protect the SW coast line
without disturbing the natural beauty of the area which is world renowned
for the beaches and attract many tourists. Therefore, it is necessary to
adopt methods that are harmonious with nature. The proposals put
forward for coastal erosion management in SW coastline combine hard
and soft engineering methods according the topology and nature of
identical places.
The natural green belt around Sri Lanka is the main protection for the
coastal line against erosion. However, the tsunami disaster and human
actions has reduced its efficiency and effectiveness.
Consequently, it is proposed to strengthen the green belt near the SW
coastline by enhancing the coral reef, increasing the density of
mangroves, and improving the sea vegetation. It is recommended to
initiate Environment Protect and Bio diversity Act incorporated with
CCD and UDA to minimize the human involvement in the deteriorating
green belt. The act should adopt parameters like restrictions on coral
mining, pesticide runoff from crop fields to reduce the nitrogen level,
removing mangroves and sea vegetations. Further, the act should initiate
the improvements on regenerating coral reefs, enhancing mangroves
habitat and sea vegetation. Reinforcing the green belt, which will be a
feasible project in the long run; can significantly reduce erosion and
simultaneously enhance the fish and shrimp harvest to boost the local
economy.
But, there are major issues to be addressed immediately, because the
main railway and highway infrastructure, which connects South and West
part of the island lies parallel to the Hikkaduwa coastal line which has
been subjected to erosion. Hence, it is wise to go for a fast track
economical process simultaneously with reinforce the green belt.
It is proposed to introduce an economically feasible method that can
reduce wave energy, ultimately avoiding sediment erosion in Hikkaduwa
coastal zone. It is a flexible breakwater system, which will be an
environmental friendly mechanism. Flexible wire nets and rings of
vehicle tires and soft blades on the surface are used in combination to
make this flexible device as in the figure no 4.
The flexible wire
net is held by the
stack of rings. The
deposition of
sediments in
coastal area and
reduction of wave
energy will mainly
be done by flexible
wire net. The
sedimentation of
coastal area
enhances the coastal vegetation process. This proposal will disturb the
natural appearance in the SW coastline, but considering the long run
economical and other advantages this would be one of the most optimum
methods. This innovative method was discovered by Fong Shin
Construction Co. China, which has become a more effective method as
shown in the figure no 5.
The Galle zone in SW coast line has to be treated in a special manner due
to strong waves and high tides. Therefore, it is recommended to construct
man made barrier reef. Even though the structure is costly, the expense
will have to be borne due to the economic significance of the area with
Galle port which is considered as the third capital in Sri Lanka.
Rubble can be used as the main material to construct the reef due to the
availability of the material in the area and it will tend to minimize cost. The
proposed structure will be constructed all along the Galle zone giving
ample space for vessels to enter the harbour.
The design should be enhanced to use the strong waves and high tides to
improve the surfability, which can help to boost up the economy while
protecting the shoreline from erosion. To focus and shape the breaking
waves in an attempt to improve surfability, there should be a good
understanding about the speed, height, and direction of the waves and
tides.
CONCLUSION
Erosion has become a severe problem for a small island with increasing
population and economical threats. Any erosion process cannot be
reduced to zero, but it could be minimized to some extent. Three
proposals have been formulated which should proceed simultaneously to
gain optimal results. The proposals were based on the few researches
and current data available. However, it was realized the essence of a
long-term strategy is harmonious with the proposals. The strategy should
include Regulations barring human activities and mandatory pre-
permission process, Education and awareness of the coastal habitat
system for key stake holders, Planning and Policy Development of
conservation of coastal habitat, Monitoring program for ongoing actions,
Research process on how global issues affect Sri Lankan coastal line,
Identifying pattern and nature of waves, tides around the island,
alternatives for the coastal protection systems and innovative methods to
enhance the natural habitat like coral reefs and mangroves, and proper
Coordination at national and local level in putting the long term strategy
into practice.
SHOULD WE ABANDON OR REBUILD COASTAL DEFENCES?
CASE STUDY: THE SOUTH WEST COAST LINE OF SRI LANKA K.A.E. Alwis- Student No- 1132372


Reference :- Abbreviations :-
Coast Conservation Department., Sri Lanka's Agenda for Coastal Zone Management. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://www.coastal.gov.lk/showresearch.php?ankaya=11 SW South West
Coast Conservation Department., Economic Significance of Coastal Region of Sri Lanka. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://www.coastal.gov.lk/showresearch.php?ankaya=12 CCD - Coast Conservation Department
Fong Shin Construction., we solve the coastal erosion problem. Retrieved November 25, 2011, from http://www.fosh.tw/ UDA Urban Development Authority
GDP - Gross Domestic Product



Figure 1 Hikkaduwa Coastal Line
Figure 2 Erosion on Sri Lanka
Figure 3 "Proposal Approach"
Figure 4 "Flexible Breakwater System"
Figure 5 "Flexible Breakwater Adoption in China"