A study on environmental issues due to the development of nuwaraeliya baduua road

Abstract

Special emphasis has been given on road construction by the National Highways Sector Project (NHSP) of Sri Lanka i n order to bring socio-economic upliftment. However, construction and developments of roads of the country create many environment issues. Rehabilitation and improvement of the NuwaraEliya - Badulla road which r un through the hilly area were established in 2010. Construction length of the road was considered to identify the environmental impacts. Slope instability, hydrological conditions, soil erosion and blasting effects were studied. Disturbance of the natural drainage systems and making deep cuts and fills across already fragile slopes were identified as the main causes. Highly unstable slopes are identified in the Dabalawelahinna area. Dougolla Oya and Gregory Lake are the hilly affected water bodies of the area. Area around the rock quarry has been affected due to blasting vibration and high air blast over pressure. Since the vibration of back side of the quarry is high, landslides can be occurred in future. The life style of species live in Hakgala strict nature reserve has been disturbed due to noise and vibration. Prior to the construction of roads in hilly areas, special attention should be paid, specially on the morphological and geological conditions