The coastal pollution management strategies used in Sri Lanka and their impact on the coastal societies

Abstract

The coast is the physically dynamic edges between land and sea and comprises of numerous physiographic forms such as dunes, deltas, beaches and wetland. It also has a wide range of ecosystem such as coral reefs, mangroves, sand dunes, sea grass beds, estuaries and lagoons. The coastal area serves as a habitat for countless flora and fauna. More importantly coastal areas are the locus of an incredibly diverse range of human uses and activities. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants in to the natural environment that causes adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. It could be a point source or a non-point source. Coastal pollution is a global phenomenon and is mainly anthropogenic. Sri Lanka's coastal management dates back to the 1920s. Such efforts were mainly focused on seeking engineering solution to control coastal erosion problems by construction of coastal protection structures. The realization that a comprehensive approach to coastal resource management was required led to the establishment of the coast protection unit in the Colombo port commission in 1963.