Mémoire
| Résumé : | Mangrove restoration is expensive and time consuming, especially when compared to the protection and management of existing forests. Typically, local communities are aware of the importance of mangroves, from which they derive direct benefits. This study focuses on how people along the East coast of Sri Lanka perceive and live off these mangrove ecosystems, with the ultimate aim of promoting the development of a management plan that takes into account the needs of nature and people. In order to assess the impacts of mangrove ecosystems on coastal communities, their use was assessed through a questionnaire in 83 households in 5 communities along the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka considering differences in religion, ethnicity, economic status, gender and age. Local people were aware of the importance of mangroves for their livelihoods. In the current study, a higher percentage of people utilizes wood as combustible (fuelwood), edible fruits, and fishing is still an important activity. They used mangrove wood for construction or medicine in a less extent. Most of the men answered the questions related to fisheries. Local communities who live near mangroves used them more often, regardless of their religious orientation. However, there were some differences between villages in the usage of mangroves for fuelwood as most villagers tend to use coconut leaves, husks and other commercial woods instead. They refer to the government-led ban in mangrove wood product use as a reason for such changes. In general, respondents were in favor of mangrove conservation, but dissatisfied with the measures taken by the government, preventing them from using the environment they strongly depend on. Developmental projects such as the Oluvil harbor and bridges have had negative effects on the mangrove ecosystems as locals relate it to the loss of diversity of plants and animals, reduced fishery and water quality. Mangroves were perceived as very important for people’s livelihoods, and the opinion about future of the mangroves on the east coast of Sri Lanka is shared. |
