| The tsunamis that impacted the shores of Sri Lanka
on the 26th of December 2004, caused unprecedented loss of human
lives and property along the coast. As most other Sri Lankans, we
at CCR also played an active role in providing assistance to those
affected, helping in medical camps and delivering medicines and
supplies. Once the immediate humanitarian problems were under control
and the government and aid organizations stepped up to the relief
effort, we turned our attention to the impact of the tsunamis on
natural eco-systems.
One of the main areas impacted by the tsunamis was the Yala National
Park, which is also our primary study area for elephant conservation
work. Therefore, we undertook to conduct an assessment of the tsunami
impact in this area.
The Yala National Park is situated on the south-east corner of
Sri Lanka and has a coastal boundary of approximately 60 km. It
is divided into Blocks I-V, Strict Nature Reserve and Yala-East.
The coastal boundary is approximately 15 km in Block I, 25 km in
Block II and 20 km in Yala-East. We undertook to survey the area
of impact and to set up a long term study of how the eco-system
responds to the disturbance created by the tsunami.
Literature
Fernando P, Wikramanayake ED & Pastorini J (2006) Impact of
tsunami on terrestrial ecosystems of Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.
Current Science 90:1531-1534.
|
For further information:
Yala National Park after the tsunami
|
