An Evaluation of the Land-Use Changes and the Associated Environmental Impact of Coastal Tourist Destinations: A Comparative Study of the Hikkaduwa and Bentota Sites

Abstract

The study focuses on the analysis of land-use patterns and environmental impact in two coastal tourist destinations in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka: Hikkaduwa and Bentota. The aim was to assess how tourism has influenced land-use changes and the associated environmental problems. Primary and secondary data were collected through questionnaires, mapping techniques and remote sensing tools. The findings revealed significant transformations in both areas over time.In Hikkaduwa, coconut plantation lands decreased by 22.54%, rice cultivation lands by 8.27%, and mixed vegetation lands by 2.21%. Similarly, Bentota experienced reductions in coconut, rice, and mixed vegetation lands by 15.28%, 16.5%, and 1.16%, respectively. However, built land increased by 30.41% in Hikkaduwa and 22.03% in Bentota. The study also highlighted a shift in land-use patterns. Hikkaduwa transitioned from a proportional mixed land-use to a dominant land-use type, while Bentota maintained a more balanced proportion of major land uses.Moreover, Hikkaduwa faced severe environmental problems compared to Bentota, emphasizing the need for a formal and sustainable land-use plan in Hikkaduwa. The involvement of stakeholders responsible for land use, tourism development and environmental conservation was deemed crucial for achieving this. The findings underscore the importance of implementing sustainable land-use practices and effective environmental management to ensure the long-term sustainability of the popular tourist destinations.