Journals Proceedings

Abstract

this article reveals the root causes of the issues of social-ecological systems in Central Fragile Zone of Sri Lanka. Understanding of the causes should use to develop a sustainable development framework for environmentally sensitive areas, three villages of in Sabaragamuwa Province (SP), Sri Lanka. By examining relationship between social systems and ecological systems that existed in the study area for the last 100 years, the existing social-ecological system in environmental sensitive areas of SP in Sri Lanka has been conceptualized. The study clarifies the issues, which are being faced by the permanent settlers in the region and attempts to forecast the situation that may occur in the immediate future, finally suggests the possible solutions for the issues. Mainly this study depends on political ecological perspective to understand the exiting political ecological problems in the communities, two main theses of political ecology, called the degradation and marginalization thesis and the conservation and control thesis, applied. This study depends on both secondary and primary data with qualitative approach.