Impact assessment of development in Deraniyagala DS division

Abstract

Development is the perceived progress of human being without undue stress on environment.In development and environment there are two avenues: one, a Technical Approach towards Management and sustainable utilization of the environment, and another Stressing the links between Environment, Economy and Society. By the changes, the first perspective still appears dominant. Links between Poverty and Environmental Degradation are sometimes neglected, and Environmental problems are not considered. Sri Lankan people directly dependent on natural resources for their basic needs and employment.The alteration of the environment making lots of changes in their lifestyles.Deraniyagala is the study area for the assessment of impacts on developing progress.The study area is situated in between the central highlands and western southern plains. Objectives of the research is to identify the influence of development andto identify the environment and human impacts. Primary data have been collected within the study area through questionnaire survey and field observations. Secondary data have been collected from the Divisional Secretariat of Deraniyagalaand published and unpublishedmaterials.For the integration of mapping and land use changes have been obtained through the Google Earth images and topographic maps. Further this study assesses the positive and negative impacts through development. In essence, development means growth and change. This study tries to assess the pros and cons of Development in Deraniyagala area. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Environmental Degradation, Population Growth, Impact Assessment