Training of trainers on ecosystem-based management of estuaries and lagoons

Within the ambit of the Capacity Building component of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Sri Lanka, a workshop titled Ecosystem-based Management of Estuaries and Lagoons was held from 17-19 September 2014 at the Hotel Good Wood Plaza in Katunayake with a field excursion on the 18^th of September to seven sites situated within the Negombo Lagoon area.

The consultative workshop was organized by IUCN Sri Lanka (which functions as the National Secretariat of MFF Sri Lanka) in partnership with the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department (CC&CRMD). It was attended by 23 participants from 19 Government, Non-Government and private sector agencies.

The government sector was represented by the CC&CRMD, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Central Environmental Authority, Marine Environment Protection Authority, Sri Lanka Navy, Road Development Authority, National Aquatic Resources Research Development Agency, Urban Development Authority, Forest Department, Irrigation Department and National Aquaculture Development Authority. In addition IUCN Sri Lanka invited a number of experts on Ecology, Coastal Engineering, Water Quality and Quantity, Wetlands, Marine and Coastal Biology and Climate Change subjects to share their experience in relation to Coastal Resource Management.

This multi-agency, multi-sector and expert gathering accomplished key three objectives. First it helped to bring together the years of experience of the participating agencies and the experts. This knowledge will be translated into a “Guide Book for Trainer of Trainers” by IUCN. Secondly the group interactions within the three days helped evolve a working group in the subject of Integrated Coastal Zone Management which will help to finalize and operationalize the CC&CRMD led next five year plans for coastal region of the country. Third and last outcome was the gap identification for a five year project to be funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which will be implemented by IUCN with the active participation of the agencies participated.

Speaking in the workshop Prof. Samantha Hettiarachchi, Dept. of Coastal and Civil Engineering of the University of Moratuwa and the Chair of the UNESCO Indian Ocean Consortium on Risk Assessment highlighted the value of combining Engineering and Ecological aspects plus the threats due to climate change to device multi-disciplinary coastal management approaches.  While facilitating Dr. Jayampathi Samarakoon, IUCN Consultant outlined the value of coastal fisheries to the national economy and how the pollution and other man made interference to the ecosystem of the lagoons and estuaries can harm the sustainability of the fishery dependent coastal communities. Mr. Herman Kumara, The National Convener, National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, representing the non-Governmental sector shared insights on how to make Govt. led programmes useful and community friendly. He cited many examples and lessons learnt, both positive and negative based on the Negombo Lagoon development. It was evident that facilitating balanced policy and public responsiveness, and collective solving of critical issues faced by these ecosystems are a timely need.

Among the key themes discussed related to estuaries and lagoons included definition of estuaries and lagoons; forms, structure and functions; economic and social values; impacts of tourism, climate change and poor urban service delivery; management challenges; need and role of monitoring and measuring of environment, economic and social parameters related to estuary and lagoon systems; climate modeling; hydrography and geological aspects; and land  use management.

Eng. Mrs. Mangala Wickremanayake, Director General of CC&CRMD thanked IUCN for conceptualizing and facilitating the multi-agency forum. In conclusion Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri, Country Representative of IUCN Sri Lanka commented that the pressure on the critical ecosystems such as lagoons and estuaries can be mitigated if we mainstream ecosystem based scientific knowledge to the fast track development and involving multiple agencies and communities. IUCN, he said, is pro-development but look for ways to promote Nature Solutions do make development processes are sustainable and resilient.  

MFF is a unique partner-led initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many different agencies, sectors and countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues. The goal is to promote an integrated ocean-wide approach to coastal management and to building the resilience of ecosystem-dependent coastal communities.

It is presently being implemented in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.