Muthurajawela to be declared as Ramsar wetland under new masterplan

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to prepare a new masterplan for the Muthurajawela wetland area and to consequently declare it as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the proposal containing several measures targeted at conserving the Muthurajawela wetland area, which has been under threat due to a multitude of issues.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing jointly with the Ministers of Wildlife and Forest Conservation and Environment submitted the proposal.

Accordingly, a monitoring committee and a working committee comprising the heads or representatives of applicable stakeholder institutions would be appointed. The monitoring committee would be tasked with the preparation of the proposed master plan.

Further, the areas identified under the proposed masterplan would also be declared as a national reserve under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance and the whole wetland area  is to be declared as a Ramsar wetland by implementing the masterplan.

The wetland eco- system spreads across 6,232 hectares including the Negombo lagoon and a marshy land, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the socio—economic wellbeing of the urban population securing the area’s environmental stability.

Under the current masterplan prepared in 1991 jointly by the Central Environment Authority with the Greater Colombo Economic Commission, it is divided into three major land utilization patterns— conservation zone, induction zone and mixed urban zone.

Although, the Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has nominated 1,285.45 hectares of land as Muthurajawela reserve, the Central Environment Authority has nominated an area in extent of 162.1 hectares as an environment protection area.

The Muthurajawela eco system is threatened with destruction due to irregular land filling, development of various infrastructure facilities for numerous purposes, encroachments and disposal of garbage, according to the Government Information Department.

A recent study showed that marshland and mangrove cover of the wetland area declined 41 percent and 21 percent over the past two decades, in particular areas close to roads and population growth nodes.