March 2007

Best Practice Guidelines for the Establishment of a Coastal Greenbelt

Sri Lanka Country Office

March 2007

Best Practice Guidelines for theEstablishment of a Coastal Greenbelt

Published by : The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Sri Lanka Country Office

Copyright : 2006 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Reproduction of this article for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorizedwithout prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fullyacknowledged.

Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibitedwithout prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Citation : Best Practice Guidelines for the Establishment of a Coastal Greenbelt. March 2007. TheWorld Conservation Union (IUCN). Sri Lanka Country Office

ISBN : 978-955-8177-66-2

Cover Photograph : Bhagya Gunasekera IUCN

Produced by : The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka Country Office

Printed by : Karunaratne & Sons Ltd.67, UDA Industrial EstateKatuwana RoadHomagama

Available from : The World Conservation Union (IUCN)Sri Lanka Country Office53, Horton PlaceColombo 07Sri Lanka

ii

CONTENT

Acknowledgements ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... iv

Objectives of the best practice guidelines ... ... ... ... ... ... 1

Broad Classification of Landscapes for the Coastal Belt ... ... ... ... ... 1

Site Selection and Appraisal ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Planting Design Principles ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

In Natural locations ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

In Rural locations ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3

In Urban locations ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3

Selection of Plant Species and Planting Designs ... ... ... ... ... ... 3

Arrangement of the Tree Belt ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3

Method of Planting ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3

Protection and After-Care ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Monitoring Progress ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Annex ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6

iii

The Coast Conservation Department and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) gratefully acknowledge the resourcepersons, Dr. R.A.D.B. Samaranayake, Ms. Hester Basnayake, Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe, Mr. Jagath Gunawardane,Dr. Ajantha de Alwis, Mr. B.J.H. Premathilake, Mr. L.P.D. Dayananda, Mr. Shamen Vidanage, Mr. Sarath Ekanayakeand Mr. Harshana Rajakaruna, who have contributed towards making this endeavor a success. We wish to expressour sincere appreciation to Mr. Asoka de Silva who did the difficult task of converting individual technicalcontributions into a Best Practice Guide and editing the publication. This effort would have not been possible if notfor the financial contribution by Novib-Oxfam to IUCN Sri Lanka through the Green Coast Project.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ii

Objectives of the best practice guidelinesThe overall objective of these Guidelines is to evolvea systematically designed common approach torestore, rehabilitate and/or recreate a vegetationalbarrier/buffer (Greenbelt) that may be resilient andstable enough to prevent or mitigate the devastatingeffects of natural disasters such as cyclones, stormsurges and tsunamis. A greenbelt will ideally representa multipurpose investment, in terms of stabilizing afragile and unconsolidated beach front in the coastalbelt, while at the same time functioning as a windbarrier where necessary, providing shade andprotection, enhancing the landscape for recreation andtourism, and providing opportunities for economicreturns to traditional coastal communities.

The enthusiasm and wide acceptance of the need torehabilitate or establish afresh, a coastal belt ofvegetational cover following the post-tsunamiscenario, has in recent times led to unregulated anddisoriented rehabilitation work that are likely to haveserious negative consequences. There is therefore anurgent need to set out specially designed guidelinesto ensure that well integrated greenbelts will emergein conformity with basic standards and policies oncoast conservation.

Broad Classification of Landscapes forthe Coastal Belt

For the purposes of creating or restoring coastalvegetation belts, it is useful to select plant species onthe visible division of the landscape from a land useperspective, into three major landscape types NATURAL, RURAL and URBAN. It must neverthelessbe noted that there are areas of transition and overlapamong them, e.g. urban fringe, suburban, rural-natural.These types are found in varying extents, in the threeclimatic zones of the wet zone, the dry zone and thearid zone. However, for the purpose of these guidelines,the transitional landforms and the arid climatic regionwould not be considered as separate entities.

Areas considered as NATURAL encompass all areaswhich are relatively unaffected by human activity,

especially those which are already designated asnational parks and other categories of reserves, e.g.the coastal edges of Yala, Wilpattu and BundalaNational Parks, and also areas which, though not yetdesignated, are potentially suitable for designation asnature conservation/preservation areas.

Natural landscape areas will therefore compriseestuarine areas, lagoons, mud or sand flats, beaches,dunes, sand bars, spits, bays, rocky headlands andcliffs (the two latter sometimes with sandy beaches attheir bases), in various combinations, where thenatural landform and vegetation is still preserved or, atleast, predominant.

The immediate hinterland of the coastline could bedeemed RURAL in areas where, despite a similarvariation in landform to that in natural areas, the naturalvegetation has been largely replaced by non-indigenousagricultural species such as coconut palms andpalmyrah palms. In some cases, there might be cropssuch as cashewnut, further inland, and even patches ofgrassland used for grazing. In certain areas, such asMundel, Waikkal, and Hambantota, aqua-culture(especially prawn farms) and salt-pans have replacedthe original mangroves or salt marshes. Groups or stripsof Casuarina (Kasa), which is also an introducedspecies, although it may be considered as beingnaturalized in Sri Lanka, have been planted in manylocations along both the wet zone and dry zone beachesfor wind shelter or beach stabilization. Nevertheless,remnant pockets, patches and strips of natural plantcommunities still exist, albeit dispersed and fragmented.

It is appropriate to categorize as URBAN those coastalstrips within or bordering urban settlements, usuallyincluding seaside parks, playgrounds, esplanades andmarine drives, sometimes with seaside retaining wallsand often bordered by artificial coastal protectionstructures such as rock revetments.

It is essential firstly, to study the area and identifywhether it is (or should be) urban, rural, or natural incharacter. Wherever natural maritime vegetationcommunities exist, even as small remnants, the basicprinciple should be to conserve them and integratethem into the design.

Best Practice Guidelines for theEstablishment of a Coastal Greenbelt

1

The local government authority, and the DivisionalSecretary, should be consulted at the outset, as wellas relevant central government authorities such as theCoast Conservation Department, the UrbanDevelopment Authority and the Fisheries Department,and in some cases, the Security Forces, theDepartment of Wildlife Conservation, the Sri LankaTourist Board, the Forest Department, and theDepartment of Agriculture.

Site Selection and Appraisal

It is encouraged that the Green Belt be establishedwithin the coastal set back limits, where the land isavailable for planting. The coastal setback is ageographical strip of land within the coastal zonebordering the shoreline, within which certaindevelopment activities are prohibited or significantlyrestricted for management reasons, except forregeneration of vegetation. The land mass lyingbetween the Seaward Reference Line and theLandward Reference Line of the particular coastalsegment is considered as the coastal set back. Thewidth of the coastal set back varies according to thevulnerability of the particular coastal segment toerosion. Set back limits applied to the area of concerncan be verified from the Planning Officer of the CCDposted in coastal District Secretariats.

After selecting a suitable stretch of land in the coastalset back with the permission of the District or DivisionalSecretaries (if the land belongs to the state) or theprivate land owners, an appraisal and design shouldbe done with the aid of relevant professionals, alwaysgetting at least basic advice from a coastal planner.Even for urban locations, landscape architects shouldobtain advice from other specialists. For rurallocations, landscape architects and sometimes, otherspecialists also are needed besides agriculturists. Fornatural locations, landscape architects, ecologists andoften other specialists such as geologists are needed.Whatever the location, it would be necessary toprepare detailed survey sketches of the existingvegetation and landscape. In general, apart fromecological and aesthetic factors, social and socio-economic issues must also be addressed.

Based on this appraisal, a landscape design shouldbe drawn up. It is recommended that the principles laidout by the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) beadhered to when designing the physical layout, for

example, providing accessibility to the beach fortraditional users There should be layout plans givingmeasurements and planting plans including spacingshowing how the planting should be set out. Thereshould preferably be section elevation drawings toclearly illustrate how the work should be done andwhat its outcome would be. It is vitally important todesign appropriate temporary protective fencing forareas to be planted and to have realistic workprogrammes. A management plan should be preparedincluding for maintenance with cost estimates.

Planting Design Principles

The following basic principles of establishinggreenbelts should be applied when designing toconditions laid down by the Coast ConservationDepartment (CCD)

In Natural locations

Existing natural ecosystems should be preserved.In other locations, the natural terrain and vegetationshould be restored as far as possible, keepingvisual effects also in mind. The natural littoralwoodland species will be the most used species,because sandy shores border most of the island.Wherever mangroves have been damaged ordepleted, they should be rehabilitated andenhanced and wherever they have been destroyed,they should be restored.

Introduced/exotic species should be excluded. Structures such as shelters, toilets, camp sites etc.

should be as few as possible. (Functionality and themanagement aspects of those structures should bewell defined)

Footpaths through mangrove forests and over sanddunes should preferably be raised board walks, toensure minimum disturbance to the mangroves orthe dune stabilizing vegetation.

Access to vehicles including bicycles should belimited or even prohibited, and parking areasshould be at the edges of such sites

Materials, finishes, shapes, facades, styles andlocations of structures should be chosen carefully tobe in harmony with the natural habitat.

A preservation/conservation management planshould be prepared.

Unless debris can be recycled or re-used inkeeping with the principles above, it should betaken out of the site completely.

2

In Rural locations

At least a 15 to 20m wide strip of natural littoralwoodland and strand plants should be plantedseaward of agricultural crops. Imitation of the typicalplant species mix and distribution in the naturalcommunity would be the best, while naturalvegetation should not be removed but integrated.

Agricultural crops, not confined to native andendemic species, should be selected to suit thespecific location.

Identification of the most suitable beach-frontground cover for soil stabilization in the specificlandscape, and the successive vegetation cover forerosion resistance as well as for mellowing strongwinds, should be carefully selected and designed

Structures, vehicle access, footpaths and cycle pathsshould be minimal and harmoniously integrated.

In general, materials and finishes should reflect therusticity of the location.

A management plan should be prepared.

Debris may be buried, recycled or used for groundshaping: the terrain should be made suitable for thenatural vegetation belt and agricultural crops chosen.

In Urban locations

Patches of natural vegetation should be integratedas far as possible with whatever is the most suitableconcept for a particular area.

There could be open grass/sandy/paved parks orplaygrounds or sports grounds of various sizes,provided there is a good belt of trees on theseaward side.

There could be many alternative styles, materials,finishes and colours for structures and surfaces andthey should be strong enough to tolerate intensive use.

Vegetation could be either irregular and naturalisticor regular and geometric in form, but formal geometricallayouts and regular planting will often be desirable.

There should be sufficiently wide beach stabilizingvegetation strips between seaside retaining wallsand the open beach.

Vehicle access and parking should be minimized.

Sea walls, piers, quays, street furniture, kiosks,picnic/rest shelters, infrastructure facilities and otherminimal permitted structures should be located anddetailed with care.

A management plan should be prepared.

Debris could be recycled or re-used as landscapematerial if suitable.

Selection of Plant Species and PlantingDesigns

The choice of plant species in greenbelt rehabilitationhas to be primarily based on the growth potential andadaptability of plants to a given situation. Hence theinitial consideration has to be a careful assessment ofthe geo-physical and agro-ecological conditions, theland use values and community needs, and moreimportantly the existing ground situation of theselected rehabilitation site in relation to the level ofdisturbance and the existing residual vegetation. It isthus clear that a number of technical as well as non-technical considerations are pre-requisites for thechoice of plant species and planting designs.

After site selection the next step therefore has to be aconsultation with knowledgeable persons in fields ofagronomy, ecology and landscape architecture, aswell as a cross section of the local community andrepresentatives of relevant Community BasedOrganizations. In brief, to ensure establishment of asuccessful greenbelt, the prospective projectproponent must have a perfect understanding of theground situation before embarking on developing thelandscape proposal.

A fairly broad selection of plants for the Wet Zone andthe Dry/Arid Zones are summarized in the Annex I.

Arrangement of the Tree BeltMethod of Planting

While the material for field planting is being prepared,the planned area for the establishment of the greenbeltshould also be organized simultaneously, either for

3

sowing, or for transplanting of the pre-arranged plantspecies that are being nursed in the plant nursery.

Designing and field planting of plant species, againrequires proper advice and guidance of an agronomist,and preferably also of a landscape architect. The fieldtransplants will necessarily need, a) some shadeinitially, which has to be progressively reduced withplant growth and establishment, b) adequate wateringand mulching, c) protective barriers against strayanimals, pests and diseases, and d) wind breaks.

In the Wet Zone, planting has to be timed for theperiod when the first heavy rains of the dominantmonsoon for the zone have begun to taper off. This isimportant because planting during heavy rains can domuch damage to the young transplants. Practice in theeast is at the onset of the rains.

Spacing and field lining of the site is the first importantstep to be undertaken before transplanting tree andshrub species of plants. This is a job that has to bedone by a farm or agriculture school - trained field

assistant. This step is not necessary where a groundcover is to be established with a creeper or a grass-type of plant species. In such instances, depending onthe appropriate plant propagation technique to beused, field planting could be done through eithersowing of pre-treated seed material, or by thevegetative propagation method of digging in cuttingsat regular intervals. Where the vegetative technique offield planting has to be done, the field must remainwell moistened and shaded for several weeks afterplanting until the cuttings are well established. Thealternative approach is to plant the cuttings in poly-bags in the nursery and transplant when the plants arewell established.

Protection and After-Care

Newly planted species should be protected againststrong winds, animals, pests and diseases, wilting,and nutrient deficiencies. Temporary fencing withjungle timber posts and barbed wire, combined withwind-shields of brush wood, cadjan (thatched coconutfronds) or such other material on the windward side,could protect the plants from wind and animal damage.Plants should also be regularly checked for pests anddiseases, and nutrient deficiencies, for the treatment ofwhich the advice of an agriculturist should be sought,and promptly treated.

Even though cloudy weather is likely to prevail forseveral days during the mid-monsoon planting period,some shading will be required, which could beprovided with used coir netting or by sticking shortlengths of dried coconut fronds. During intermittent dryspells it would be necessary to water the young plantsto prevent wilting.

Monitoring Progress

Keeping track of the health and growth of the youngplants is very important, especially during the first 3months after field planting. For successfulmanagement of the newly established vegetationalbelt, the active cooperation of the local community isabsolutely necessary, and for this purpose acommitted senior member of the local communityshould be co-opted as a member of the monitoringteam.

During the first 2 weeks after planting, visualobservations of the growth progress must be carefullyrecorded on a daily basis by the community member,with one staff member of the implementationorganization joining the community member everyother day. During this initial monitoring mission plantssubjected to damping-off, and any diseased or weaklooking plants should be replaced with healthierplants.

At the end of 3 months, tree species could be taggedwith numbers and subjected to growth (height)measurements. At the end of 6 months, the second setof height measurements should be taken, and at thatstage any weak plants could be removed or replacedaccording to the spacing needs of the tree species.Weak plants are judged by visual observations andthe rate of growth in height, calculated from the heightmeasurements taken at the third and sixth monthstages. This process could be continued for a period ofabout one year, by which time a reasonably stablegreenbelt would have been installed.

5

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8

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) was founded in 1948 and brings together nearly 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,000 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.

In the context of IUCNs mission, the role of the IUCN programme in Sri Lanka is to be a facilitator of conservation action. It plays a catalytic role, and offers effective platforms to promote dialogue and discussion among the various partners engaged in conservation work. The emphasis of the Programme is to support sustainable natural resource initiatives of the Unions members and partners in Sri Lanka, in biodiversity conservation, conservation and management of critical habitats, environmental policy support, institutional support and environmental education and awareness. It also provides opportunities for the practical application of methodologies developed through the Unions scientific networks to support the conservation initiatives of members and partners of IUCN in Sri Lanka.

The in-country operations of IUCN in Sri Lanka commenced in 1988. In addition to the country office in Colombo, the programme has now expanded with four regional offices operating from the southern, eastern and central parts of the country.

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