Untitled - Neccdep.com

TRINCOMALEE BAY SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA Page | 76
6. Establishment of community woodlots
447. Fuelwood scarcity is not an acute issue in the TB SAM except in urban areas of
Trincomalee, Kinniya and Muthur. However extraction of mangroves for poles and fuel wood
for commercial purposes is becoming an issue. Hence it is proposed that community
woodlots are established by local communities and Divisional Secretary, with assistance of
FD and DSAM CCC, in suitable locations in the SAM buffer zone. Management of these
woodlots should be the responsibility of Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretary (DS). It is
also suggested that DS could allow needy local people to extract fuel wood and poles from
these plantations subject to DSAM CCC agreement and the payment of a small royalty or inkind
contribution.
7. Alternative livelihoods development
448. The field studies revealed that fishery and agriculture sectors in the TB SAM provide
very few new employment opportunities. It was also evident that the shell mining and
grinding industry and micro saltern industry cannot be expanded further due to environmental
issues. The TB SAM Plan proposes the control these 2 industries.
449. New sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities need to be introduced, preferably
based on value added to the present products and services, and targeted at youth
employment. It is suggested that these opportunities build on the NECCDEP sustainable
livelihoods initiatives. Introduction of alternative sustainable livelihoods should reduce the
direct pressure on employment in the shell and saltern industries and indirect pressure on
natural resources in the TB SAM.
8. Aquaculture based micro enterprises in Thampalagamam bay
450. Micro aquaculture projects such as sea bass culture and crab fattening are practiced
at present with the assistance of DFAD, NAQDA and one private company. Discussions with
fishers revealed that these micro level aquaculture projects are profitable for fishers.
However there are difficulties in getting fingerlings and feeds. Discussions with NAQDA
revealed that NAQDA is going to establish hatcheries in the Eastern Province within a few
years and plans to promote aquaculture projects from 2010.
451. DFAD should develop aquaculture in the Thampalagamam bay area with the
assistances of NAQDA, Fishers Federations, CCD and DSAM CCC. Once DSAM CCC, CCD
and other relevant agencies approve any aquaculture development plan, DFAD could
implement it with the assistance of NAQDA.
9. Sea erosion control
452. Sea erosion was, and continues to be, a severe issue in the Kinniya area. The field
studies revealed that A-15 road has shifted inland 4-5 times during last few decades due to
sea erosion. Hence it is necessary to implement sea erosion control program in coastal zone
from Kinniya to Muthur.
10. Management of core conservation areas under security forces
management
453. The Dutch Fort and hilly areas around the Trincomalee bay provide an attractive
landscape that is not found elsewhere in Eastern Province. The Greater and lesser Sober
Islands and other smaller islands in the bay are also important natural habitats and have very
high ecotourism potential. Due to security reasons, it was not possible for the SAM team to
conduct field studies in support of the TB SAM planning process in these areas.