Abstract:
Turtle habitats were widely spred some decades ago in the Kosgoda area due to some
favouring factors of the environment. At present, turtle resource is decreasing very rapidly
both in global and local scales. However, five species of turtles can be found in the
Kosgoda area. The main objective of this study was to analyse how human activities
affect on the decreasing turtle habitats in the area. A questionnaire survey was carried out
To collect data depending on random sampling covering 17% of the families in the
Kosgoda area.
The study reveals that 35% of the employed people in the area are engaged with jobs
connected to the sea. Majority of these people are engaged in fishing industry. About 4%
of the people who are engaged in fishing industry use the Earth nets (Polo Dal) while 46%
of the people use Dynamite.
In addition, the research reveals that harmful methods used in fishing industry directly
affect the extinction of the turtle resource. Accordingly, Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys
coriacea) and Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) are the main species those
affected by such destructive human activities. The other destructive human activity is that
the harmful waste dumping in to the coast.
