Perceptions, awareness, and conservation challenges of urban wildlife in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a developing country and is also labeled as one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the World. The post-civil war scenario accelerated development in the Northern Province, which leads to the vital question of biodiversity conservation. Studying urban wildlife in the Jaffna Peninsula is essential since no predominant natural forests or protected areas exist. Understanding and conserving the prevailing urban wildlife is vital to maintaining ecosystem services within the study area. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaires (128), and the secondary statistical data were collected from the Jaffna Divisional Secretariat. This study assessed home gardens, vegetation types, and urban wildlife awareness, observations, interactions, attitudes toward urban wildlife, and trends related to urban wildlife. The survey was ensured with a gender balance (~50 % each), revealing that 60 % of respondents owned home gardens (54 % from the 2023 statistical data book). It has been observed using the study that, of the 60 %, within the last five years, 44 % of respondents newly established their home garden, featuring fruiting trees (30 %), flowering plants (29 %), vegetable plants (22 %), and herbal plants (15 %). Regardless of the space, whether it is a backyard or a front yard (~50 %), the respondents were happy to utilize the space for a garden landscape. 65 % of respondents were familiar with urban wildlife terms, and 60 % knew what urban wildlife was. Respondents observed various wild fauna daily (57 %), such as mammals (mongooses, bats), birds (owls), reptiles, amphibians, and pollinators (bees, butterflies, moths). The respondents (79 %) mentioned that observing urban wildlife is therapeutic, and almost all felt connected with nature. Respondents (76 %) were aware of the benefits of wildlife, like biodiversity conservation (27 %), pollination (24%), natural pest control (17 %), aesthetic value (17 %), and improved mental health (15 %), as well as potential problems like snake bites and Ferrel behavior (29 %), crop damage (24 %), and disease spread (20 %). The study discovered that urban wildlife populations have decreased (51 %) due to habitat fragmentation (31 %), construction (29 %), road development (17 %), parapet walls (14 %), and waste generation (9 %). Notably, the respondents mentioned a population reduction in the Greater coucal (Centropus sinensis) and butterflies. Of the respondents, 80 % accepted that urban wildlife needs to be conserved by declaring biosphere reserves or green space within the study area. It could be concluded that the Jaffna community’s perception of urban wildlife is a reasonable opinion, and the respondents’ awareness of urban wildlife is high. It is vital to sustain this since the Jaffna Peninsula is forecasted to be a hub for accelerated development in the Northern Province.