Evaluating the impact of canal restoration in Kotagala, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka

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cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Water Management Instituteen
cg.contributor.donorCGIAR Trust Funden
cg.contributor.initiativeClimate Resilience
cg.coverage.countrySri Lanka
cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2LK
cg.coverage.subregionNuwara Eliya
cg.coverage.subregionKotagala
cg.creator.identifierNiranga Alahacoon: 0000-0003-0984-5176en
cg.creator.identifierEmmanuel M.N.A.N. Attoh: 0000-0001-6527-852Xen
cg.creator.identifierGiriraj Amarnath: 0000-0002-7390-9800en
cg.identifier.iwmilibraryH053580en
cg.identifier.projectIWMI - C-0008en
cg.placeColombo, Sri Lankaen
dc.contributor.authorHerath, H. M. M.en
dc.contributor.authorAlahacoon, Nirangaen
dc.contributor.authorSivananthan, Piriyankaen
dc.contributor.authorAttoh, Emmanuelen
dc.contributor.authorAmarnath, Girirajen
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-17T10:20:49Zen
dc.date.available2025-02-17T10:20:49Zen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/173099
dc.titleEvaluating the impact of canal restoration in Kotagala, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lankaen
dcterms.abstractThe impact evaluation of the canal restoration project in Kotagala, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka, highlights the significant benefits of locally led adaptation measures in addressing climate risks, particularly flooding. The restoration, completed in 2023 by International Water Management Institute supported through the CGIAR initiatives on Climate Resilience “ClimBeR” ACTION grant and supported by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, focused on rehabilitating a 2 km stretch of the canal running through the. Chrystler's Farm The initiative aimed to improve water flow, reduce flood risks, and enhance the resilience of the local community, which had faced recurring floods due to heavy rainfall, sedimentation, and waste mismanagement. The project resulted in a substantial reduction in flood vulnerability. In the year following its completion, no flood events were recorded, marking a transformative change for the community. Improved water drainage, enhanced canal capacity, and reduced sedimentation significantly mitigated the impact of heavy rains. Social and economic benefits were notable, with fewer disruptions to tea estate operations, increased school attendance, and reduced damage to homes and infrastructure. Community-led efforts also contributed to the project's success, with active participation in canal maintenance and waste management fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. Environmental gains were another critical outcome of the restoration. Water quality in the canal improved, and soil erosion was minimized due to enhanced water flow and sediment control. Awareness campaigns and monitoring initiatives effectively reduced waste dumping into the canal, promoting a healthier local ecosystem. These immediate outcomes underscore the success of the restoration in addressing key environmental and social challenges. Despite these successes, long-term sustainability remains a concern. The evaluation revealed gaps in maintenance mechanisms, financial sustainability, and consistent stakeholder collaboration. While subcommittees for maintenance and waste management were formed, ensuring their continued activity requires stronger financial and institutional support. A robust maintenance fund, supported by estate management and community contributions, is essential to preserve the project’s benefits over time. Key lessons from the locally led adaptation include the importance of community-centered approaches, integrated governance, and anticipatory actions. Active involvement of local communities, from planning to implementation, proved essential in aligning the project with local needs. Strengthening communication between stakeholders and implementing early warning systems are also critical for enhancing climate resilience. Additionally, the project successfully promoted gender-inclusive practices, ensuring equitable benefits for all community members. This canal restoration initiative serves as a model for locally led climate adaptation, showcasing the potential for collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable development. However, continuous efforts in maintenance, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement will be critical to sustaining and scaling its positive impacts.en
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationHerath, H. M. M.; Alahacoon, N.; Sivananthan, P.; Attoh, E.; Amarnath, G. 2024. Evaluating the impact of canal restoration in Kotagala, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience. 36p.en
dcterms.extent36p.en
dcterms.issued2024-12-30en
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.licenseCC-BY-4.0
dcterms.publisherInternational Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilienceen
dcterms.subjectcanalsen
dcterms.subjectrestorationen
dcterms.subjectclimate change adaptationen
dcterms.subjectfloodingen
dcterms.subjectstakeholdersen
dcterms.subjectlocal communitiesen
dcterms.typeReport

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