Destruction of Aththidiya paddy fields in Colombo

(June 22, 2010) Aththidiya, the largest wetland environment system in Colombo district has been destroyed by land filling and other human activities.

In the past 32 years, 966 acres of paddy fields in Aththidiya and Bellanwila areas around this wetland have been destroyed as a result of this says, the Department of Agriculture. These paddy fields have not been used for paddy cultivation after 1978, the agricultural officials point out.

However, this paddy cultivation was carried out in these fields for generations successfully earlier. Land filling, industrial waste, water stagnation and salinization has prompted the farmers to give up these lands. Since the commercial value of the lands in Colombo district is very high, people often fill the given up paddy fields for constructions.

Some local government institutes use this wetland as garbage dumps causing severe damage to the water resources as well. Although the government has declared Aththidiya wetland as a forest reserve, it has not been any effect to avoid the destruction, the residents of the area say.

Posted in Aththidiya , attidiya , pady cultivation , Rice , wetlands