Friday, December 31, 2010
Socio economic considerations relating to sustainable utilization of
Gulf of Mannar Resources
General
IUCN conducted a rapid socio-economic and terrestrial biodiversity assessment in Coastal DS Divisions of Mannar with financial assistance from Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME) of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This provides a summary of findings of the study.
The rapid assessment revealed that the coastal DS Divisions of Mannar District has a rich biological diversity, unique archeological and cultural resources which many are not aware of. Detailed findings are provided in the draft report to be finalized after review by the District Authorities under the leadership of Government Agent for Mannar.
With the end of the civil conflict, the displaced people are returning and investors are trying to acquire land for development activities. There is a high demand for land for various development activities. These alternative uses may put pressure on rich biological, archeological and cultural resources in Mannar – especially when they are not well known and properly documented. On the other hand, local people dependant on natural resources tend to over exploit some of the natural resources impacting their long term sustainability. Therefore, awareness raising programmes on richness of biological diversity in Mannar and the need for their sustainable use is essential. Awareness raising programmes are scheduled by the project targeting natural resource users and school children in coastal areas of Mannar district.
It is also planned to produce an information booklet for Mannar District based on the findings of this study and the findings of the previous study on rapid biodiversity assessment (by University of Ruhuna with IUCN funding). This information booklet will include GIS maps prepared by the study team, which would assist planners in allocating land for alternate users and capitalizing on the available resources for planned nature based tourism development.
Following is a brief account of findings under different categories.
(i) Fisheries
Fishermen engaged with many destructive fishing practices impact long term sustainable utilization of the resources in the Gulf of Mannar. These include the following;
1. Use of explosives (dynamite) for fishing Although this is banned, discussions with fishermen and officials revealed that dynamite is still being used by some fishermen, particularly in Pallimunai to Thavulpadu area. This is a highly destructive fishing practice that needs to be arrested through strict enforcement. Joint action of the Fisheries Department and Navy should be further strengthened with necessary finances on curbing the use of explosive for fishing.
2. Use of monofilament (tangus) nets It was observed that in almost all the landing sites monofilament nets is a common feature. With the notification of enforcement of ban by the Ministry of Fisheries during (from 3 October 2010) the study period, people were hesitant to use the net. However for many fishermen that was the only available fishing gear.
3. Use of brush piles for catching cuttlefish In many areas including Pallimunai and Vankalai in Mannar FID, fishermen use mangrove branches (as brush piles) to catch cuttlefish. They catch cuttlefish which approach these branches to place their eggs using artificial baits with multiple hooks. The team observed a case of bringing a brush pile after fishing which contained cuttlefish eggs. Destruction of mangroves is another concern in this fishing practice.
4. Use of Surukku nets – encircling net This also a common practice where the gear is capable of catching a whole school of fish including juveniles.
5. Use of SCUBA diving for collection of sea cucumber and conch No permits are given in Mannar to use of SCUBA gear; however it was revealed that businessmen from Kalpitiya have employed fishermen to catch sea cucumber and conch in Silvatturai. The danger is that these SCUBA divers can remain in water for a longer time and collect these highly immobile animals in large numbers threatening their survival.
6. Bottom Trawling is a highly destructive fishing practice as it disturbs the sea bottom. There are about 85 trawlers in Pesalai operating two days a week. Those who have invested on these vessels like to operate their vessels throughout, but the authorities have ordered them to stop trawling from 3rd October, 2010.
7. Poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters Indian fishermen use bigger Trawlers in large numbers on Sri Lankan waters violating territorial user rights and leading to ecological and socio-economic issues in the Sri Lankan part of the Gulf of Mannar. Sri Lankan fishermen also get arrested by Indian Authorities for violating their territorial boundary. However, the numbers are declining according to discussions that the team had with fisheries officials in Mannar.
8. Pollution of coastal areas due to discarding of by-catch and fish refuse in and around the landing sites is a common feature.
9. Poor handling of fish, resulting in quality deterioration of the catch and wastage is also a concern.
10. The current ice production is insufficient, many buyers bring their own ice.
11. Entire Mannar coast does not have a proper fishing harbour. All fiberglass boats and other smaller boats land on the beach while trawlers and multiday boats anchor in the sea.
12. Preparation of fish for drying and the drying method can be improved to produce a better quality dried fish.
Gulf of Mannar Resources
General
IUCN conducted a rapid socio-economic and terrestrial biodiversity assessment in Coastal DS Divisions of Mannar with financial assistance from Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME) of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This provides a summary of findings of the study.
The rapid assessment revealed that the coastal DS Divisions of Mannar District has a rich biological diversity, unique archeological and cultural resources which many are not aware of. Detailed findings are provided in the draft report to be finalized after review by the District Authorities under the leadership of Government Agent for Mannar.
With the end of the civil conflict, the displaced people are returning and investors are trying to acquire land for development activities. There is a high demand for land for various development activities. These alternative uses may put pressure on rich biological, archeological and cultural resources in Mannar – especially when they are not well known and properly documented. On the other hand, local people dependant on natural resources tend to over exploit some of the natural resources impacting their long term sustainability. Therefore, awareness raising programmes on richness of biological diversity in Mannar and the need for their sustainable use is essential. Awareness raising programmes are scheduled by the project targeting natural resource users and school children in coastal areas of Mannar district.
It is also planned to produce an information booklet for Mannar District based on the findings of this study and the findings of the previous study on rapid biodiversity assessment (by University of Ruhuna with IUCN funding). This information booklet will include GIS maps prepared by the study team, which would assist planners in allocating land for alternate users and capitalizing on the available resources for planned nature based tourism development.
Following is a brief account of findings under different categories.
(i) Fisheries
Fishermen engaged with many destructive fishing practices impact long term sustainable utilization of the resources in the Gulf of Mannar. These include the following;
1. Use of explosives (dynamite) for fishing Although this is banned, discussions with fishermen and officials revealed that dynamite is still being used by some fishermen, particularly in Pallimunai to Thavulpadu area. This is a highly destructive fishing practice that needs to be arrested through strict enforcement. Joint action of the Fisheries Department and Navy should be further strengthened with necessary finances on curbing the use of explosive for fishing.
2. Use of monofilament (tangus) nets It was observed that in almost all the landing sites monofilament nets is a common feature. With the notification of enforcement of ban by the Ministry of Fisheries during (from 3 October 2010) the study period, people were hesitant to use the net. However for many fishermen that was the only available fishing gear.
3. Use of brush piles for catching cuttlefish In many areas including Pallimunai and Vankalai in Mannar FID, fishermen use mangrove branches (as brush piles) to catch cuttlefish. They catch cuttlefish which approach these branches to place their eggs using artificial baits with multiple hooks. The team observed a case of bringing a brush pile after fishing which contained cuttlefish eggs. Destruction of mangroves is another concern in this fishing practice.
4. Use of Surukku nets – encircling net This also a common practice where the gear is capable of catching a whole school of fish including juveniles.
5. Use of SCUBA diving for collection of sea cucumber and conch No permits are given in Mannar to use of SCUBA gear; however it was revealed that businessmen from Kalpitiya have employed fishermen to catch sea cucumber and conch in Silvatturai. The danger is that these SCUBA divers can remain in water for a longer time and collect these highly immobile animals in large numbers threatening their survival.
6. Bottom Trawling is a highly destructive fishing practice as it disturbs the sea bottom. There are about 85 trawlers in Pesalai operating two days a week. Those who have invested on these vessels like to operate their vessels throughout, but the authorities have ordered them to stop trawling from 3rd October, 2010.
7. Poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters Indian fishermen use bigger Trawlers in large numbers on Sri Lankan waters violating territorial user rights and leading to ecological and socio-economic issues in the Sri Lankan part of the Gulf of Mannar. Sri Lankan fishermen also get arrested by Indian Authorities for violating their territorial boundary. However, the numbers are declining according to discussions that the team had with fisheries officials in Mannar.
8. Pollution of coastal areas due to discarding of by-catch and fish refuse in and around the landing sites is a common feature.
9. Poor handling of fish, resulting in quality deterioration of the catch and wastage is also a concern.
10. The current ice production is insufficient, many buyers bring their own ice.
11. Entire Mannar coast does not have a proper fishing harbour. All fiberglass boats and other smaller boats land on the beach while trawlers and multiday boats anchor in the sea.
12. Preparation of fish for drying and the drying method can be improved to produce a better quality dried fish.
Where is the Gulf of Mannar?
The Gulf of Mannar lies between the south-eastern tip of India and the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
Between India and Sri Lanka lies a chain of limestone islands covered with sand, as well as sand islands, stretching from India’s Pamban Island (also known as Rameshawaram island) to Sri Lanka’s Mannar island. This chain of islands is called Adam’s Bridge in English, Ātham Pālam in Tamil and Rama Sethu in Malayalam. The name Adam’s Bridge was given by a British mapmaker, and referred to legend that said that Adam (the first man in Christianity and Islam) crossed from India to Sri Lanka along this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in the central part of Sri Lanka. The Indian name Rama Sethu refers to the Indian legend Ramayanaya: the bridge is supposed to have been built for the Indian Prince Rama to cross from India to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar). Sethu means bridge.
Evidence from the past shows that Adam’s Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka but now there is sea between the limestone and sand islands. The sea level in the past was much lower, therefore, there was a connection. Wave currents move the sand so that some sand islands disappear during certain parts of the year. According to historical records, people walked across Adam’s Bridge up until the 15th century, until a bad storm broke up the chain. However, even now much of Adam’s Bridge can be waded across.
Adam’s Bridge is 30 km long. The sea in this area is very shallow (1.5 to 3.5 m only), with sand shifting and resettling with wave currents.
Adam’s Bridge starts from Pamban island in Tamil Nadu, India (connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge) and ends at Mannar island in Sri Lanka. Mannar island is connected to the mainland by a causeway – which is a road raised over water with a few culverts underneath to allow some water to pass under.
To the northeast of Adam’s Bridge is the Palk Bay which leads to Palk Strait. Although they are narrow, ships can move pass through straits. Palk Strait is named after the British governor James Palk.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar).
To the southwest of Adam’s Bridge is the Gulf of Mannar. The Gulf of Mannar is a shallow area of water connected to Lakshadweep Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean in which the tip of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are found.
1.2 The climate in the Gulf of Mannar
The rainfall and the shape of the surface of the land dictate Sri Lanka’s climate.
In the centre of the island are high hills, surrounded by less high hills. Below this is the large area of mostly flat land.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island where the temperature does not vary much. However, rainfall varies greatly. The island receives its rain from two monsoons, the southwest and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon comes from the direction of the Bay of Bengal, from May to September. The water vapour bearing winds cool as they rise above the central hills, and fall down as rain on the side of the hills that face the wind. During this period, the rest of the island remains more or less without rainfall.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, blowing overland from India, snakes round the central hills to bring rain to the whole island from November to March. This means that the part of the island southwest of the hill is wet through most of the year, while the rest of the country has a dry spell. Because of this combination of both the shape of the surface of the land and rainfall, we are able to tell apart different climatic zones in the island. For the purpose of this module, we will use the Wet Zone, the Dry Zone, the Intermediate Zone and the Arid Zone. The Arid Zone receives only about 650 mm of rain every year, and suffers a long dry period for nearly three quarters of the year.
Much of the coastline near Mannar District lies in the Arid zone and the Dry Zone.
Climatic Zone Average Rainfall Remarks
Wet Zone 2,000 mm – 5, 000 mm The upcountry wet zone generally receives rain throughout the year. The low country wet zone is likely to have about 5 -6 months without rain.
Intermediate Zone 1,100 mm – 2,000 mm • The up country Intermediate Zone receives better rainfall than the rest of the Intermediate Zone.
• Some parts of the Mid Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
• The Low Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
Dry Zone 700 mm – 1,000 mm The Dry Zone receives rain only for about 3-4 months, mainly from the northeast monsoon. The rest of the year is dry.
Arid Zone About 650 mm The Arid Zone receives limited rain only for about three months. The lowest rainfall is in Hambantota. The rainfall in Mannar, Jaffna and parts of Kilinochchi district is also low (in the region of about 700 mm).
The Gulf of Mannar lies between the south-eastern tip of India and the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
Between India and Sri Lanka lies a chain of limestone islands covered with sand, as well as sand islands, stretching from India’s Pamban Island (also known as Rameshawaram island) to Sri Lanka’s Mannar island. This chain of islands is called Adam’s Bridge in English, Ātham Pālam in Tamil and Rama Sethu in Malayalam. The name Adam’s Bridge was given by a British mapmaker, and referred to legend that said that Adam (the first man in Christianity and Islam) crossed from India to Sri Lanka along this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in the central part of Sri Lanka. The Indian name Rama Sethu refers to the Indian legend Ramayanaya: the bridge is supposed to have been built for the Indian Prince Rama to cross from India to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar). Sethu means bridge.
Evidence from the past shows that Adam’s Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka but now there is sea between the limestone and sand islands. The sea level in the past was much lower, therefore, there was a connection. Wave currents move the sand so that some sand islands disappear during certain parts of the year. According to historical records, people walked across Adam’s Bridge up until the 15th century, until a bad storm broke up the chain. However, even now much of Adam’s Bridge can be waded across.
Adam’s Bridge is 30 km long. The sea in this area is very shallow (1.5 to 3.5 m only), with sand shifting and resettling with wave currents.
Adam’s Bridge starts from Pamban island in Tamil Nadu, India (connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge) and ends at Mannar island in Sri Lanka. Mannar island is connected to the mainland by a causeway – which is a road raised over water with a few culverts underneath to allow some water to pass under.
To the northeast of Adam’s Bridge is the Palk Bay which leads to Palk Strait. Although they are narrow, ships can move pass through straits. Palk Strait is named after the British governor James Palk.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar).
To the southwest of Adam’s Bridge is the Gulf of Mannar. The Gulf of Mannar is a shallow area of water connected to Lakshadweep Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean in which the tip of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are found.
1.2 The climate in the Gulf of Mannar
The rainfall and the shape of the surface of the land dictate Sri Lanka’s climate.
In the centre of the island are high hills, surrounded by less high hills. Below this is the large area of mostly flat land.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island where the temperature does not vary much. However, rainfall varies greatly. The island receives its rain from two monsoons, the southwest and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon comes from the direction of the Bay of Bengal, from May to September. The water vapour bearing winds cool as they rise above the central hills, and fall down as rain on the side of the hills that face the wind. During this period, the rest of the island remains more or less without rainfall.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, blowing overland from India, snakes round the central hills to bring rain to the whole island from November to March. This means that the part of the island southwest of the hill is wet through most of the year, while the rest of the country has a dry spell. Because of this combination of both the shape of the surface of the land and rainfall, we are able to tell apart different climatic zones in the island. For the purpose of this module, we will use the Wet Zone, the Dry Zone, the Intermediate Zone and the Arid Zone. The Arid Zone receives only about 650 mm of rain every year, and suffers a long dry period for nearly three quarters of the year.
Much of the coastline near Mannar District lies in the Arid zone and the Dry Zone.
Climatic Zone Average Rainfall Remarks
Wet Zone 2,000 mm – 5, 000 mm The upcountry wet zone generally receives rain throughout the year. The low country wet zone is likely to have about 5 -6 months without rain.
Intermediate Zone 1,100 mm – 2,000 mm • The up country Intermediate Zone receives better rainfall than the rest of the Intermediate Zone.
• Some parts of the Mid Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
• The Low Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
Dry Zone 700 mm – 1,000 mm The Dry Zone receives rain only for about 3-4 months, mainly from the northeast monsoon. The rest of the year is dry.
Arid Zone About 650 mm The Arid Zone receives limited rain only for about three months. The lowest rainfall is in Hambantota. The rainfall in Mannar, Jaffna and parts of Kilinochchi district is also low (in the region of about 700 mm).
Gulf of Mannar
Where is the Gulf of Mannar?
Source :IUCN Sri Lanka
The Gulf of Mannar lies between the south-eastern tip of India and the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
Between India and Sri Lanka lies a chain of limestone islands covered with sand, as well as sand islands, stretching from India’s Pamban Island (also known as Rameshawaram island) to Sri Lanka’s Mannar island. This chain of islands is called Adam’s Bridge in English, Ātham Pālam in Tamil and Rama Sethu in Malayalam. The name Adam’s Bridge was given by a British mapmaker, and referred to legend that said that Adam (the first man in Christianity and Islam) crossed from India to Sri Lanka along this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in the central part of Sri Lanka. The Indian name Rama Sethu refers to the Indian legend Ramayanaya: the bridge is supposed to have been built for the Indian Prince Rama to cross from India to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar). Sethu means bridge.
Evidence from the past shows that Adam’s Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka but now there is sea between the limestone and sand islands. The sea level in the past was much lower, therefore, there was a connection. Wave currents move the sand so that some sand islands disappear during certain parts of the year. According to historical records, people walked across Adam’s Bridge up until the 15th century, until a bad storm broke up the chain. However, even now much of Adam’s Bridge can be waded across.
Adam’s Bridge is 30 km long. The sea in this area is very shallow (1.5 to 3.5 m only), with sand shifting and resettling with wave currents.
Adam’s Bridge starts from Pamban island in Tamil Nadu, India (connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge) and ends at Mannar island in Sri Lanka. Mannar island is connected to the mainland by a causeway – which is a road raised over water with a few culverts underneath to allow some water to pass under.
To the northeast of Adam’s Bridge is the Palk Bay which leads to Palk Strait. Although they are narrow, ships can move pass through straits. Palk Strait is named after the British governor James Palk.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar).
To the southwest of Adam’s Bridge is the Gulf of Mannar. The Gulf of Mannar is a shallow area of water connected to Lakshadweep Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean in which the tip of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are found.
1.2 The climate in the Gulf of Mannar
The rainfall and the shape of the surface of the land dictate Sri Lanka’s climate.
In the centre of the island are high hills, surrounded by less high hills. Below this is the large area of mostly flat land.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island where the temperature does not vary much. However, rainfall varies greatly. The island receives its rain from two monsoons, the southwest and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon comes from the direction of the Bay of Bengal, from May to September. The water vapour bearing winds cool as they rise above the central hills, and fall down as rain on the side of the hills that face the wind. During this period, the rest of the island remains more or less without rainfall.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, blowing overland from India, snakes round the central hills to bring rain to the whole island from November to March. This means that the part of the island southwest of the hill is wet through most of the year, while the rest of the country has a dry spell. Because of this combination of both the shape of the surface of the land and rainfall, we are able to tell apart different climatic zones in the island. For the purpose of this module, we will use the Wet Zone, the Dry Zone, the Intermediate Zone and the Arid Zone. The Arid Zone receives only about 650 mm of rain every year, and suffers a long dry period for nearly three quarters of the year.
Much of the coastline near Mannar District lies in the Arid zone and the Dry Zone.
Climatic Zone Average Rainfall Remarks
Wet Zone 2,000 mm – 5, 000 mm The upcountry wet zone generally receives rain throughout the year. The low country wet zone is likely to have about 5 -6 months without rain.
Intermediate Zone 1,100 mm – 2,000 mm • The up country Intermediate Zone receives better rainfall than the rest of the Intermediate Zone.
• Some parts of the Mid Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
• The Low Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
Dry Zone 700 mm – 1,000 mm The Dry Zone receives rain only for about 3-4 months, mainly from the northeast monsoon. The rest of the year is dry.
Arid Zone About 650 mm The Arid Zone receives limited rain only for about three months. The lowest rainfall is in Hambantota. The rainfall in Mannar, Jaffna and parts of Kilinochchi district is also low (in the region of about 700 mm).
Source :IUCN Sri Lanka
The Gulf of Mannar lies between the south-eastern tip of India and the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
Between India and Sri Lanka lies a chain of limestone islands covered with sand, as well as sand islands, stretching from India’s Pamban Island (also known as Rameshawaram island) to Sri Lanka’s Mannar island. This chain of islands is called Adam’s Bridge in English, Ātham Pālam in Tamil and Rama Sethu in Malayalam. The name Adam’s Bridge was given by a British mapmaker, and referred to legend that said that Adam (the first man in Christianity and Islam) crossed from India to Sri Lanka along this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in the central part of Sri Lanka. The Indian name Rama Sethu refers to the Indian legend Ramayanaya: the bridge is supposed to have been built for the Indian Prince Rama to cross from India to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar). Sethu means bridge.
Evidence from the past shows that Adam’s Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka but now there is sea between the limestone and sand islands. The sea level in the past was much lower, therefore, there was a connection. Wave currents move the sand so that some sand islands disappear during certain parts of the year. According to historical records, people walked across Adam’s Bridge up until the 15th century, until a bad storm broke up the chain. However, even now much of Adam’s Bridge can be waded across.
Adam’s Bridge is 30 km long. The sea in this area is very shallow (1.5 to 3.5 m only), with sand shifting and resettling with wave currents.
Adam’s Bridge starts from Pamban island in Tamil Nadu, India (connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge) and ends at Mannar island in Sri Lanka. Mannar island is connected to the mainland by a causeway – which is a road raised over water with a few culverts underneath to allow some water to pass under.
To the northeast of Adam’s Bridge is the Palk Bay which leads to Palk Strait. Although they are narrow, ships can move pass through straits. Palk Strait is named after the British governor James Palk.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar).
To the southwest of Adam’s Bridge is the Gulf of Mannar. The Gulf of Mannar is a shallow area of water connected to Lakshadweep Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean in which the tip of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are found.
1.2 The climate in the Gulf of Mannar
The rainfall and the shape of the surface of the land dictate Sri Lanka’s climate.
In the centre of the island are high hills, surrounded by less high hills. Below this is the large area of mostly flat land.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island where the temperature does not vary much. However, rainfall varies greatly. The island receives its rain from two monsoons, the southwest and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon comes from the direction of the Bay of Bengal, from May to September. The water vapour bearing winds cool as they rise above the central hills, and fall down as rain on the side of the hills that face the wind. During this period, the rest of the island remains more or less without rainfall.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, blowing overland from India, snakes round the central hills to bring rain to the whole island from November to March. This means that the part of the island southwest of the hill is wet through most of the year, while the rest of the country has a dry spell. Because of this combination of both the shape of the surface of the land and rainfall, we are able to tell apart different climatic zones in the island. For the purpose of this module, we will use the Wet Zone, the Dry Zone, the Intermediate Zone and the Arid Zone. The Arid Zone receives only about 650 mm of rain every year, and suffers a long dry period for nearly three quarters of the year.
Much of the coastline near Mannar District lies in the Arid zone and the Dry Zone.
Climatic Zone Average Rainfall Remarks
Wet Zone 2,000 mm – 5, 000 mm The upcountry wet zone generally receives rain throughout the year. The low country wet zone is likely to have about 5 -6 months without rain.
Intermediate Zone 1,100 mm – 2,000 mm • The up country Intermediate Zone receives better rainfall than the rest of the Intermediate Zone.
• Some parts of the Mid Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
• The Low Country Intermediate Zone may have about 6 months without rain.
Dry Zone 700 mm – 1,000 mm The Dry Zone receives rain only for about 3-4 months, mainly from the northeast monsoon. The rest of the year is dry.
Arid Zone About 650 mm The Arid Zone receives limited rain only for about three months. The lowest rainfall is in Hambantota. The rainfall in Mannar, Jaffna and parts of Kilinochchi district is also low (in the region of about 700 mm).
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