Abstract:
Community-Based Tourism (CBT) offers a sustainable development pathway by empowering
local communities to manage tourism activities that generate income, create employment,
conserve the environment, and promote cultural exchange. This study investigates the potential
for CBT to enhance sustainable livelihoods in the Panduwasnuwara divisional secretariat
division, a valuable heritage site in Sri Lanka that hasn’t been fully explored for CBT. The research
employed remote sensing and GPS-based field s analysis to identify distribution pattern of main
resources, including land cover and tank system. Traditional livelihoods and cultural practices
were documented through field observations and informal interviews with 75 households
selected using random sampling. A SWOT analysis further evaluated the viability of CBT
initiatives in the region. Results show that panduwasnuwara’s natural beauty, heritage, and
hospitality offer strong CBT potential, despite gaps in transport and facilities. Unexplored history
and eco-tourism present development opportunities, though climate variability and local
resistance pose challenges. Coconut plantations (55%) and paddy cultivation (18%) dominate
the land use, with 9% comprising irrigation tanks and surface water bodies critical to agriculture
based on GPS survey. The region features dispersed cultural, religious, industrial, and natural
tourism attractions. Despite the uneven distribution of tourism infrastructure, the study
identifies strong potential for CBT development, supported by the presence of a wide range of
traditional industries as a percentage wise pottery (36%), handicraft (21%), handloom weaving
(14%), traditional cuisine (13%), wood carving and temple artistry (12.5%) and others (3.5%).
The study concludes that community engagement, supported by targeted development strategies
such as the formation of community-based cooperatives, microfinance support for local
entrepreneurs, and low-cost technology training is essential for realizing a sustainable CBT
model, especially considering the limitations in funding and technological access.
