Community Perception on the Present Status of Hikkaduwa Marine National Park

Abstract

Hikkaduwa fringing coral reef and surrounding environment was gazette as a marine national Park on 19th September, 2002 by the Department of Wild Life Conservation due to its high ecological and economical importance. Since shallow water coral ecosystem with higher biodiversity, tourists are attracted to enjoy beauty of underwater, creating livelihoods for surrounding community. Some natural threats, development of tourism industry around reef area and some anthropogenic impacts have led to its deterioration. The objectives of the study were to Study about the community perception on reef value, community awareness on reef, threats for its health and suitable management practices. This study was done through a pre-designed and a pre-tested questionnaire. Thirty people who engage in reef associated activities were interviewed using random and systematic sampling techniques. Data was analyzed by Frieddman test to compare significant difference in ranking the threats on coral reef health. Low abundance of live corals (57%), low abundance of reef fishes (28% ), poor water quality (14 %) and irresponsible activities of tourists (1%) were identified as the indicators of reef deterioration. Community knowledge about functions of coral reef was higher as indicated by their knowledge on the function of coral reef as a break for coastal erosion (100% ) and economical importance of coral reef (100%). Awareness on concept of marine protected areas was low on which only 2% of community was well aware. According to the result there is a significant difference (p <0.05) among four threats; Natural Disasters (ND), Pollution and Coastal Construction (P & CC), Illegal Fishing (IF) and Damage from Boats and tourists (B & T).Hence, community suggested that increasing and enforcing existing rules and regulations (100%), strict controlling of sources of pollution to maintain water quality (100%), imposing more restrictions on construction practices to prevent sediment going to sea (87%) and limiting of recreational uses (34%) as the management and conservation practices to be established within the park area. Government intervention is an essential requirement to establish proper integrated management plan in accordance with community perception to conserve this ecosystem.