Land use changes in Kalmunai Municipal Council (KMC), Sri Lanka

Abstract

Kalmunai Municipal Council (KMC) is on the eastern coastal fringe in Ampara District, boarding the on the east of Indian Ocean, on the north of the Batticaloa District, on the south of the Karaithivu Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and Sammanthurai, on the west of Navithanveli DSDs. According to the Resource Profile Report 2007, the total population of KMC is 97,402. It is predominantly a Muslim area because they form 71.93 percent of total population, whereas the Tamils form 27.16 percent and other communities form 0.91 percent of the total population in KMC. The total land area of the KMC is 22.68 square kilometre (sq. km). Geographically; it is located at an elevation of about 9 meters above mean sea level. The KMC consists of 75 Grama Niladhri Divisions (GND). The population density of the KMC is 4,294 sq. km. It is characterized by an agricultural economy from ancient time. The informal sector plays a dominant role; because underemployment and non-paid employment are common. Population growth and modern socio-economic developments have shown heavy impacts on the land use patterns of the area. The object of this study is to examine and asses the changes in the land use patterns from 1981 to 2006. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources and analysed by using statistical software and images were analysed by ERDAS Image software and mapped using ArcGIS. The main land use patterns in KMC are agricultural (for example, paddy coconut, other field crops and horticulture), Ocean and inland fisheries, livestock rearing, trade and business, micro-industries, small and medium industries based on local raw materials. The tsunami of 2004 has adversely affected the economic prospects, land use patterns of the area and the land use structure of the KMC is well-endowed with built-up area, paddy fields, coconut plantations, inland water bodies, wetlands and beaches.