bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Environmental Factors in Determining Tourist Destinations
Authors: Karunarathna M.M.S.A.  
Published: February 2024

Tourism is a growing industry in many countries of the world and for many countries it is a potential source of economic growth and employment opportunities. Focusing on Sri Lanka in terms of tourism, tourism is the third largest foreign exchange earner in Sri Lanka. It is important to correctly identify the internal tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, as well as the environmental factors that influence those destinations' decisions, so that development projects can be made. Accordingly, through this study, the environmental factor has been studied in determining the tourist destinations. The three places chosen as the study area of this research are Sinharaja Rainforest in Kalawana Divisional Secretariat Division of Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka, Bopath Ella Waterfall located in Kuruvita Divisional Secretariat Division and Sitawaka Botanical Garden located in Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat Division of Colombo District. The judgment-based method was used to select the three tourist destinations. Also, 120 people were used as a sample for data collection. A simple random sampling method was used. Primary data and secondary data were used for this study. Participant observation, interview method and questionnaire method were used to collect primary data. IBM SPSS-26 version software was used for data analysis and a Binary Logistic model was used to identify how much influence the environmental factor has in determining tourist destinations. Accordingly, it was studied here whether the environmental factor affecting the decision of a tourist destination changes according to variables such as age, gender, marital Status, education level, occupation, income level etc. According to the results of the research, the Chi- square value is 56.435. The P value is statistically significant at the 1% level. That means the P value of the model is 0.000 (P<0.01). That means that the model is statistically significant. That is, according to the independent variables used above, it can be concluded that there is a change in the influence of the environmental factor to determine a tourist destination. In the analysis, the statistical significance of each independent variable was tested by the Wald test, which can identify the effect of each independent variable on the model. Accordingly, it was clear from this research that the variables of profession and education have a significant effect on the environmental factor that affects the decision of a tourist destination.
Keywords: Education, Environmental factor, Profession, Tourist destinations
Effectiveness of a Disaster Management Education Program among Youth: A Case Study in Three Disaster-prone Provinces
Authors: Perera M.A.U.  , Gunawardena U.A.D.P.  
Published: February 2024

Environmental Education has emerged to integrate knowledge on the need to conserve and to protect the natural environment and to minimize hazards associated with the polluted environment and natural disasters. The present study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of an environmental education programme conducted among participants of National Youth Corps (NYC) training centres. NYC recruits two batches per annum within the age group of 15–26 years. The survey was carried out in year 2019 for its first batch at three provinces: Southern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa. A workshop was conducted for all the trainees by the Disaster Management Centre followed by a two-day disaster drill programme to apply the theoretical knowledge into practice. Total intake of 5688 NYC recruits were reported in this year. 1062 of them were selected from 8 NYC training centres out of 14 total centres located within the three provinces that are considered as prone to natural disasters. A quota sampling approach was used to obtain a representative sample from these districts. Selected participants were advised to complete two self-administered questionnaires: one before the workshop and the other soon after completion. Knowledge and attitudes were measured, and the scores were compared with the hypothesis that participants reported higher scores after the workshop. Knowledge and attitudes toward disaster preparedness was evaluated before and after conducting the workshop. 71% from Southern province (Tsunami); 60% from Sabaragamuwa (landslide); and 75% of North Central province (flood) reported prior experience of natural disasters. The level of awareness of having either a local disaster management plan or a local person responsible for disaster preparedness was low. Only 14.8% from Southern, 11.0% from North Central, 17.0% from Sabaragamuwa Province knew the presence of a local DMP in which 15.0%, 19.3% and 21.6% respectively, knew the presence of the DM personal. About 75% from Southern province, 64% from North Central province and 84% from Sabaragamuwa province were not aware of the existence of an early warning system. An increase in the positive attitude was observed and the perceived change in behavioral change of the trainees have increased after the study. They were highly motivated in assisting disasters in a real situation and were willing to volunteer in minimizing the environmental hazards associated with environmental degradation. Despite the high motivation, lack of experience indicates the need for inclusion of disaster management training into National Youth Corps curriculum with annual educational activities after the initial training. The assessment framework established by this study could facilitate regular inspection and verify various disaster management tasks, in-order to enhance youth capability in response to disasters.
Keywords: Environmental education, Disaster management, Youth, Knowledge enhancement, Attitude change
Study of Consumption and Disposal Practices Related to Polythene Shopping Bags
Authors: Karunaratne C.M.W.  , Gunawardena U.A.D.P.  
Published: February 2024

The widespread use of polythene shopping bags raises significant environmental concerns about adverse effects to marine ecosystems, wild life and impacts resulting from litter all of which require public resources to mitigate or manage. The main objective of this study is to understand the consumer behaviour on polythene bag usage, their awareness on adverse impacts and their willingness to pay for a tax on reducing polythene bag usage. Data were collected from 100 respondents selected from different locations in Sri Lanka conveniently using a structured online questionnaire. In investigating an economic instruments for reducing pollution from polythene bags, payment from the polluter was obtained from two different methods such increasing the price of the polythene bag and imposing a tax on production of polythene shopping bags. In this analysis, it was considered two different dependent variables and the four independent variables. Those dependent variables are willingness to pay for polythene shopping bag and imposing tax on production. Four independent variables were considered for each regression models such as Household income, number of times of usage of polythene shopping bags, environmental impacts and adequacy about government initiatives. The results indicate that among the respondents 86% have all types of polythene waste and 81% separate polythene waste from their collected waste stream, 60% sort polythene waste as clean and unclean before disposal, 61.50% hand over polythene waste to municipal solid waste collectors and 18% of respondents dump the garbage pit in the backyard and 13% of respondents burn it. Most (85%) of respondents don‘t agree that burning polythene is harmful to life and 92% don‘t agree that dumping polythene bags to garbage pits will provide breeding grounds to mosquitos. Majority is using the bags only one or two times but printed /branded bags are being used one to five times. Majority (36%) of respondents suggests a tax of Rs. 5.00 to pay for a polythene shopping bag which can carry 2-3kg per bag and 31 per cent respondents suggested Rs. 2.00. Most of the respondents prefer to switch to a bio-degradable or reusable bag completely if the government put a blanket ban on polythene. The study suggests that educating and making awareness related to the usage and disposal practices related to the polythene shopping bags is very important for the behaviour of the consumer. Introducing an economic instrument related to increasing the price of the polythene shopping bag or imposing a tax at the production or switch to a reusable bag or any other environmentally friendly alternative as a substitute for polythene shopping bags would be a timely action as the majority of the selected sample is ready and willing to embrace these alternatives.
Keywords: Polythene, Shopping bags, Reusable, Consumer behaviour, Price
Sri Lankan Contribution to Climate Change by Enteric Fermentation of Large Ruminants: An Overview
Authors: Manewa R.M.S.S.  , Madumadhawa M.H.D.  , Palliyaguru O.G.  , Senaratne D.  
Published: February 2024

The Sri Lankan livestock sector (LS) which is essential to rural households' food systems and means of subsistence, contributed to 0.6% of the GDP in 2020. The cattle industry has contributed <40% to the LS. The objective of the review was to determine how Sri Lankan LS, especially ruminants contributed to climate change (CC) by emitting greenhouse gasses (GHG). In the year 2020, in total there were 1 426 570 cattle, including neat cattle and buffaloes. Sri Lanka has experienced various impacts of CC as it is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean. The cattle industry is involved in CC directly and indirectly. Global warming (GW) is a predominant factor in CC. The emission of GHG in different ways is a root cause of GW. As a GHG, 17% of methane emissions in the atmosphere are accounted by the enteric fermentation of ruminants, especially by the large ruminants; cattle, and buffaloes. It is a complex process that occurs within the fore stomach (rumen) of ruminants where gases are released outside via a process called eructation. As a GHG, methane (CH4) contributes to GW 28 times higher than carbon dioxide produced in large ruminants by enteric fermentation. In Sri Lanka, the majority of the local indigenous cattle and buffaloes are used to eat low-quality grasses, straws, and other roughage which significantly increases the emission of CH4. A past study revealed that the CH4 emission factor estimated according to the IPCC (2006) Tier 2 methodology for an improved dairy cattle is 42 kg /head /year while a local dairy cow is 52 kg /head /year and 65 kg /head /year for dairy buffalo in Sri Lanka and the values are lower compared to default emission factors given by the IPCC (2006). The expected temperature rise in Sri Lanka, which would be primarily caused by GHG, will be slightly less than the average worldwide. However, the highest emission scenario predicts a 2.9o C–3.5o C increase in temperature by the 2090s. Therefore, instead of focusing solely on production, it is important to investigate measures to minimize GHG emitted by large ruminants under local management conditions.
Keyword: Climate change, Enteric fermentation, Livestock, Methane
A GIS-based Binary Logistic Regression Model for the Inundation Analysis; A Case Study on Elapatha DS Division, Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ekanayaka H.D.M.  , Jayasinghe G.Y.  , Priyankara P.  
Published: February 2024

Flood susceptibility analysis (FSA) is a prerequisite for adopting flood mitigation and adaptation techniques. A number of technologies and models have emerged through time, and this study focuses on the Binary Logistic Regression Model (BLRM) to investigate flood vulnerability of Elapatha Divisional secretariat (DS), Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka where has high impact from inundation. Rainfall, land use and land cover (LULC), elevation, slope, slope aspect, distance to the river, topographic wetness index (TWI), and stream power index (SPI) were the factors used in the model construction. These components were investigated in terms of their contribution to flood susceptibility using all location data and field plotting of responsible parameters in the study area using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, and all extracted data points were 96489, of which 50% were used for BLRM development using SPSS statistical software and remaining 50% for model validation. The coefficient of rainfall parameters, log value of elevation in meters, the tan value of slope in degrees, radiant value of aspect in degrees, (distance from the river)0.1, the ratio between SPI and TWI (SPI/TWI) and LULC band values of built-up area, water bodies and vegetations were 0.023, -2.254, -1.018, -0.005, -0.164, -0.003, 2.707, -.067 and -0.004 respectively. The accuracy was validated using Mean standard error (MSE) and area under curve (AUC) analysis, with values of 0.031 and 0.724 respectively. The Built-up area, elevation, and slope had the most impact on the inundation Elapatha DS division, and model performance represents 72.4% accuracy. Therefore, mitigation of inundation problems can be achieved through proper landscaping in the area.
Keywords: Binary logistic Regression, Flood susceptibility Analysis, GIS software, Spatial analysis
Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Variability of Urban Heat Island Intensity in Colombo Metropolitan Area
Authors: Withana P.M.  , Lokupitiya E.Y.K.  , Rajapaksha I.  
Published: February 2024

During the last few decades, the Colombo Metropolitan Area (CMA) has experienced rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization, resulting in the replacement of natural landcover with more impervious surfaces. The primary approach of current study was to determine the gradients of air temperature and assess the spatiotemporal variation of atmospheric urban heat island (AUHI) intensity in the CMA considering a range of rural sites extending in different radial directions from the urban center. A total of sixteen rural observation sites that extend from an urban center in four directions were selected within the CMA, with four sites 3.5 km apart from each other in any direction. The air temperatures at each site were measured using HOBO UX-100-003 temperature data loggers for an 8-day period from 21st to 28th, of February 2022. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference building index (NDBI) were used to determine the influence of land use/land cover on air temperatures. The results revealed that air temperature had a strong positive correlation with NDBI. Thus, the current study suggests that the impervious surface/s is a significant predictor of air temperature over the study area. The higher air temperatures were observed at the urban center in relation to the selected suburban and rural observation sites. Hence, the current study confirms that AUHI exists within the selected study area over the CMA. It was found that AUHI tends to be present throughout the day in the CMA. However, it becomes strong between 12.00 A.M. and 6.00 A.M and mostly weakens in the late afternoon hours. Furthermore, this study found that the timing and magnitudes of AUHI vary from direction to direction across the study area depending on the site-specific characteristics of the rural observation sites. The current study emphasizes that site-specific land use/land cover characteristics can have a significant impact on the interpretation of UHI study results even within a single metropolitan area. Therefore, taking only one rural site might not be effective in determining the UHI intensity and a range of sites need to be considered (to select from) for in-depth analysis of UHI in any given area. The findings of the current study will provide firsthand knowledge for urban planners to identify future trends in UHI in the CMA and will promote further UHI research in this area.
Keywords: Rural observation site, Atmospheric urban heat island, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
A New Three-Pillar Score System to Reduce the Sustainable Subset Heterogeneity within the GREENSL Rating System in Sri Lanka
Authors: Thiwanka S.P.D.  , Halwatura D.  , Pallewatta N.  
Published: February 2024

Sustainable development is achievable only by integrating and acknowledging three main sustainability pillars (Environment, Social, and Economic) during the decision-making process. Sustainable/Green construction has become a major part of the sustainable development process in Sri Lanka today. Sustainable/Green buildings are evaluated using both international (LEED, BREEAM, CASBEE, Green globes, etc.) and local (GREENSL, Blue-Green Sri Lanka) green building rating systems. Most of these international green building rating systems have unequal credit point distribution among three sustainability subsets which causes heterogeneity among subsets. Thus, this research was designed to evaluate two local green building rating systems (GREENSL Version 2.0, and Blue-Green Sri Lanka for government constructions Version 1.0) to identify this heterogeneity in the local context. The credit point distribution among three sustainability subsets within the two selected rating systems was evaluated by analyzing the categories and criteria of these two rating systems. Here, when criteria represented one or more pillars of sustainability, the credit points belonging to such criteria were equally divided into those two subsets. The results revealed that three subsets were not equally considered in the GREENSL (Environment (52.1%), Social (21.6%), Economic (26.3%)) and Blue-green Sri Lanka for government constructions (Environment (48.4%), Social (17.2%), Economic (34.4%)) rating systems. Thus, there is a sustainable subset heterogeneity that is dominated by environmental sustainability. As achieving the exact 33.3% point distribution among three sustainability pillars is difficult, new point distribution percentages were proposed as 40% for the environment and 30% each for both social and economic sustainability pillars. Finally, a new three-pillar score system was proposed that can be used together with the GREENSL overall score for the buildings to reduce this subset heterogeneity by adopting the proposed point distribution percentages above. This study suggested that the building needs to fulfill both the total category score and the proposed three- pillar score to qualify for the respective GREENSL award (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Green certified) to reduce the sustainable subset heterogeneity within this rating system.
Keywords: GREENSL for the built environment, Sustainability subsets, Sustainable subset heterogeneity, Three-pillar score system
Spatial Analysis of Locational Vulnerability of Fish Drying Cottage Industry of Kudawella, Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerakoon K.G.P.K.  , Abeysooriya G.  
Published: February 2024

Informal fishing industries in Sri Lanka are in vulnerable areas and their industrial locations are risky. Fish Drying cottage industry of Kudawella is fast growing and spreading in the recent years within the village and to the outside. The industry has informal economy and perfectly competitive market characteristics which enables free entrance and exit and less legal bindings. Although the industry generates a significant direct and indirect employment opportunities and income, it has also created social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities. Vice versa, the industry has become vulnerable due to various social, economic and environmental factors too. Therefore, it the study aims to spatially identify the vulnerability of fish drying cottage industry. The study identified the factors affecting the vulnerability of the industry by conducting a literature survey and were evaluated through observations and the experience of the researchers. 381 industry locations and the relevant 9 criteria maps were mapped by using Open Street Mapping and ArcMap 10.8, such as proximity to the harbour, accessible roads, environmentally sensitive areas, access to the major tourist attraction in the village; ―Hummanaya‖ the blowhole, the coast, Tsunami reservation, social infrastructure and population density and selection for projects conducted by the government. For the weighted overlay analysis, each criterion was weighted based on their relative contribution to the vulnerability of the industry. The resulting map showed that higher portion of the village a higher percentage of existing number of manufactures are moderately vulnerable while a 4.2% of land in the village is severely vulnerable for the industry. However, no manufacturing site was found to be severely vulnerable within the concerned period. The village is an Urban Development Authority declared urban area which is having economic potential due to factors such as existence of the Blowhole and abundancy of coastal and shallow water resources. Therefore, the study suggests the decision makers to make decisions to upgrade informal sector to ensure to avoid vulnerable locations of Industry and they can earmark suitable locational area to ensure the sustainable utilization of land.
Keywords: Cottage industry, Fish drying, GIS, Sustainable land use, Weighted overlay analysis
Preliminary Investigation on the Effect of Termites on Wood Decay in Selected Sri Lankan Timber Species
Authors: Arachchi C.I.M.  , Muthumala C.K.  , Jayalath J.A.C.S.  
Published: February 2024

Wood in suitable environmental conditions can be attacked by bacteria, fungi, insects, marine borers and some other biological organisms. Wood is the main biodegradation material which is naturally occurred in surrounding environment. As heartwood of wood consist most of the nonliving cells it shows more resistance to decay than sapwood. But insects can cause degrade in both heartwood and sapwood which are not preserved well. Termites belong to Class: Insecta, Order: Isoptera which are one of the most important as ecological contributors by breaking down the organic material of the wood structures directly. This study was done to analyze the effect of termites of selected 27 species with having different densities varying from 400 kg/m3 to 1100 kg/m3 at 12% moisture content. Ten pieces of each and every species of Wewarana, Jack, Badidel, Halmilla, Dawata, Walukeena, Hulanhik, Kaluwara, Hora, Pihimbiya, Damaniya, Godakirilla, Pelan, Hik, Etamba, Lunumidella, Diya Na, Palu, Mora, Kirihembiliya, Nedun, Kon, Kumbuk, Dummala, Milla, Kirikon and Burutha were stored in a separate same type wooden boxes and kept in same environmental conditions where termites can be seen in high densities for one year of time period in Head Office premises of State Timber Corporation at Battaramulla. According to the naked eye observations taken after one year time period Hora, Dummala, Godakirilla species were severely attack by termites while Halmilla, Walukeena, Pihimbiya, Damaniya, Pelan, Etamba, Lunumidella, Diya Na, Kirikon also attack at considerable level by termites. Other species were not attack by termites. Therefore altogether out of 27 species 12 were degraded by termites for the allocated one year time period. The other species of Wewarana, Jack, Bedidel, Dawata, Hulanhik, Kaluwara, Hik, Palu, Mora, Kirihembiliya, Nedun, Kon, Kumbuk, Milla, Burutha species were resistant to the termite attack during one year time period. However further studies are underway to develop the relationships of degradation due to termite attack with climatic conditions, geographical conditions, timber properties such as strength properties as well as the densities, mechanical properties with considerable time period which allocated to degrade.
Keywords: Ttermites, Decay, Density, Time period