Environmental policy and administrative management

This project will focus on the reconstruction and clearance of a drainage canal that supplies water to paddy fields to Nintawur, which is in the Ampara District. The canal was filled with sand and mud due to the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka in 2004. Due to the high level of deposits in the canal, the drainage has been completely blocked, causing the water to stagnate. Sea water has also seeped into the fields, further reducing the fields` productivity. Therefore, around 350 farmer families were unable to continue with their paddy cultivation in more than 1200 acres. The farmers then tried to dig a temporary drainage canal in several places in order to drain the water from their fields. As a result of this, unfortunately, the aquatic life in the marsh has declined. Additionally, frequent floods have also destroyed the road on the side of the bank of this canal, which has resulted in greater difficulties in transporting agricultural equipment to the paddy fields. Therefore, the Muslim Youth Council Social Welfare Organization Nintawur (MYCSWON) intends to clear the blocked canal and to do the needed reconstruction work. They also plan to strengthen the banks by planting Kumbuk, Rambuk and bamboo (water-retaining trees) alongside it. They will create a bund to protect sea water from leaking into the fields. The project s end result will be the resumption of the farmers livelihoods and the restoration of the paddy fields productivity, using environmentally friendly methods.

Sri lanka