Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2018.

With the increase of population and accelerated economic activities in the coastal region, the requirement of integrated management focused on conserving, developing and sustainable utilization of Sri Lanka’s dynamic and resources rich coastal region has long been recognized. A formal management framework was first adopted by the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department through the first generation “Coastal Zone Management Plan” formulated and implemented in 1990 as mandated by Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Act No.57 of 1981. Subsequently, the CZMP has been revised and updated respectively in 1997 and 2004. The Coastal Zone and Coastal Resource Management Plan of 2018 is designed to ensure sustainable use of the coastal environment and its resources in the long term, consistent with the national development goals.
From the inception of the coastal zone management programme, the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department, an attempt has been made to balance the conservation objectives with development needs of the country. The role of the CC&CRMD was somewhat different from traditional notion of conservation performed by other government agencies responsible for conservation of the environment. In considering the dynamic nature of the coastal zone, multiplicity of coastal ecosystem services and functions, and benefits derived from the coastal environment, specific attention was placed on planned management not confined to written policy objectives but with wider stakeholder consultation. In the process of coastal resources management, particular concern is focused on ensuring provision of basic needs for coastal communities without impediments from competing uses and improving the quality of life.
To fulfill the Mission, the four objectives that drive the CC & CRMD are: improve status of the coastal environment; develop and manage the coastline; improve the living standards of coastal communities and resource users; promote and facilitate economic development based upon coastal resources. The results to be envisaged are: Quality of coastal lands and waters improved; Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity ensured; Optimal economic potential of coastal lands realized; Development of the Coastal Zone regulated; New economic opportunities created; Quality of life of coastal communities improved; Facilities for recreational use provided; Scientific/scenic/historical/archaeological and cultural sites conserved.
The objectives of this Plan are as follows. Objective 1: Coastal erosion is addressed by adopting optimal shoreline management works/ measures consist of combination of hard and soft solutions. Objective 2: The location and type of development activities in and outside the Coastal Zone are made consonant with conserving the natural shoreline and coastal features. Objective 3: Beach stability is enhanced by controlling sand mining within the Coastal Zone and from the rivers and eradicating sea coral mining. Objective 4: Ensure the availability of contingency measures to mitigate impacts of climate change on coastal features, infrastructure and coastal communities and that systems for timely implementation of such contingency measures and plans are developed. Objective 5: Coastal community resilience will be adopted as a long term measure to minimize impacts and vulnerability of coastal erosion that may increase due extreme coastal hazards. Objective 6: Salt marshes are conserved to sustain ecological functions and socio-economic values.