NATURE BASED LANDSLIDE RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT IN SRI LANKA Proceedings of the Stakeholder workshop held on 3rd June 2019 at Hotel Taj Samudra to disseminate the outcome of the project Implemented by: Technical Assistance by: National Building Research Organization Asian Disaster Preparedness Center Financially Supported by: The World Bank Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, SM Tower, 24 th Floor, 979/69 Paholyothin Road, Samsen Nai Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Telephone: 66(0)22980681 to 92 Fax: 66(0) 22980012 to 13 Summary of the proceedings The Nature Based Landslide Risk Management Project, implemented by NBRO has completed its project activities as per the work plan. Considering the importance of obtaining technical inputs on the completed project activities, deliverables and the final outcome, a Stakeholder Meeting was organized on June 3, 2019 at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo. Representatives from eighteen organizations including the project implementing agency National Building Research Organization (NBRO), World Bank (WB) and technical partner of the project Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Thailand attended the event. Feq Few photos of the stakeholder workshop and its audience Director General of NBRO (DG-NBRO), Eng. (Dr.) Asiri Karunawardena, welcoming the participants of the final stakeholder workshop, stated that due to escalation of landslide events and associated impacts in terms of number of deaths & socio-economic status, the government of Sri Lanka has taken various initiatives to reduce such negative impacts. Among them are; 1. Landslide Hazard Zonation Mapping program to identify the most hazard prone areas; 2. Resettlement of most vulnerable people in to safer areas, 3. Structural and non-structural mitigation interventions to reduce the potential impacts due to landslide events. However, in the past Sri Lanka has largely relied on engineering solutions for landslide risk mitigation and the application of nature-based and hybrid (engineering in combination with nature based) approaches were limited due to various reasons including lack of experience and confidence. It has been demonstrated in many countries in Asia, that the risk-informed nature based solutions can be effective in reducing the occurrence and impact of landslides. DG- NBRO further stated that recognizing the importance of application of nature based solutions for landslide risk management in mitigating the landslide risk in Sri Lanka, NBRO has taken the initiative to implement this project on “Nature Based Landslide Risk Management�, to gain more experience. He has thanked the World Bank for providing financial assistance for implementation of the project and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Thailand for providing technical assistance in project implementation. Mr. Suranga Kahandawa delivering a short message from World Bank (WB) stated that the World Bank has decided to fund the this Analytics and Advisory Services project with the aim of raising the awareness on the subject and deepening the knowledge within country on the role of nature based solutions for landslide risk management. WB would like to see that NBRO considers this type of mitigation measures in future because such green initiatives are becoming more popular worldwide due to the fact that such initiatives promote more conservation practices and sustainability of environment and natural resources. On the other hand, it is more cost effective and can be used for achieving multi-tasks in creating not only safer but also more visually acceptable and ecologically sustainable slopes. Mr. Suranga Kahandawa also stated that it is also expected to apply this knowledge in a number of pilot demonstrations under different projects including under the ongoing Climate Resilience Improvement Project (CRIP) funded by the World Bank. He thanked NBRO for taking the initiative to implement the project and also thanked ADPC team for their technical assistance for implementation of the project. Dr. S. Amalanadan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Disaster Management, delivering a message from the ministry, congratulated DG-NBRO and staff for successfully completing an important set of pilot initiatives utilizing nature based solutions for mitigating landslide risk. He stated that the ministry has a great confidence on the capacity and competence of NBRO in landslide risk management and in various other areas of geo-hazard risk management. Up to date, ministry has obtained technical assistance from NBRO for various problems arising in the recent past and every time NBRO has provided the best possible as well as cost effective technical solutions. Nature based solutions are getting popular in many countries in the region and it is nice to see that NBRO also is going with the latest trends and trying to adapt environmentally friendly solutions for managing landslide risk in the country. Dr. Amalanadan has further stated that the ministry has a belief that the pilot initiatives undertaken by NBRO for application of nature based solutions to mitigate landslide risk can be scaled up and applied under various climatic and physical conditions prevailing in landslide prone districts in Sri Lanka. Hence, there is a need for NBRO to take this initiative forward and make arrangements to sustain the capacity build under WB funded initiative. Dr. Senaka Basnayake, Director, Climate Resilience of Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), provided a brief introduction to the project, project tasks and progress of the activities made under the project. He thanked NBRO for the assistance provided to the project team and cooperation extended. He also thanked World Bank for providing an opportunity to work with NBRO for undertaking this important project not only beneficial for Sri Lanka but also for the region. After the introductory presentation, Dr. Senaka Basnayake officially presented the “Guidance Document on the use of Nature Based Solutions for Landslide Risk Reduction� which was compiled under the current project to World Bank, National Building Research Organization and Ministry of Public Administration and Disaster Management. Presentation of “Guidance Document� by Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre to World Bank, National Building Research Organization and Ministry of Public Administration and Disaster Management From left to right: Mr. Suranga Kahandawa (World Bank), Eng. (Dr.) Asiri Karunawardena (NBRO), Dr. S Amalanadan (Ministry of Public Administration and Disaster Management), Dr. Senaka Basnayake (ADPC) Subsequently, following technical presentations were made by the project team members to share the knowledge and experience on implementation of nature-based and hybrid (engineering and nature based) approaches for landslide risk management in two selected pilot sites in Badulla and Ratnapura districts. • Importance of Nature Based Approaches for Landslide Risk Reduction in Sri Lanka – Mr. R. M. S. Bandara, Project Director, RLVMMP, NBRO • Developing a comprehensive model to compute root reinforcement effect for mechanical strengthening of sub-soil formations and mitigation plan development using Nature Based and Hybrid Solutions - Eng. (Dr.) Udeni Nawagamuwa, Consultant (ADPC) • Case studies on model simulations carried out through application of Nature Based and Hybrid Solutions for mitigating the landslide risk in two selected pilot sites - Eng. Lilanka Kankanamge – Geotechnical Engineering Division (NBRO) • NBRO approach in plant identification in nature-based landslide risk management – Dr. Pathmakumara Jayasinghe - Landslide Research & Risk Management Division, (NBRO) • Landscape planning approach for Landslide Risk Reduction in two pilot demonstration sites – Ms. Deemathi Perera, Human Settlements, Planning and Training Division (NBRO) • Developing a Manual on application of Nature Based Solutions in Landslide Risk Mitigation – Mr. N. M. S. I. Arambepola (ADPC) During the discussion time, following comments and suggestions were made by the participants. • It is better to explore the possibility of replacing tree species used in the mid-zone area of the Uva- wellassa site such as Kenda, Geduma with more valuable, medicinal tree plant varieties such as Kohomba, Bulu, Nelli etc. which are also appropriate for the area • Root ball method is usually good for getting the rapid growth of plant species where and when necessary. But in the case of Galaboda site if this method is used for Kumbuk type tree species, in the lower region in Galaboda site, it might not give the expected results as usually during root ball process the tap root will be cut while preparing the root ball plants. • It is a good way to use commercially important plant species in between Vetiver plant lines in the case of head region of the Uva-welllsa site. • In the Plant Manual, introduction of index properties of different plants is a commendable intervention. It is good if root structure/architecture also could be considered as an important index property among others provided. It is good, if steps can be taken to add the same in to the available index properties. • When modelling, the qualitative impact due to integration of plant species in soil formations, it is better to take both root tensile strength as well as the weight of the tree plants in to consideration. Usually in areas where further loading is questionable due to potential loss of stability, weight will have a greater contribution if the area is packed with tree species with considerable weight. • When planning for utilizing plant species from nurseries, native plants such as Geduma, Kenda etc. has a lower success rate while preparing potted plants or plants in polyphone bags. It is usually a naturally grown plant and introducing the same in to a new area is difficult. • Before planting the recommended plant species obtaining soil nutrition levels of the available formations at site, should be considered as a major requirement. Since the soil formations are the main source of nutrients needed by plants for growth, it is necessary to see the levels. If the nutrition level is found not adequate, measure should be taken to supplement through addition of compost or any other chemical fertilizer. During the answer session, the presenters have provided explanations to the comments made by the participants. Whereas, the positive suggestions made by the participants were well accepted and necessary actions will be taken to integrate them in future work. Under the agenda item of way forward, Dr.Senaka Basnayake, Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), has informed the audience that the World Bank has extended the project in to phase II, which will be effective until end June 2020. He has presented the tasks and activities planned for the second phase which will cover the landslide prone districts of Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Galle and Matale. He added that a detail discussion would take place on 4th June 2019, at NBRO on the tasks and planned activities under phase II and suggestions of NBRO will be considered during project implementation in future. At the end, while delivering concluding remarks, Dr. Pathmakumara Jayasinghe, Senior Scientist, NBRO thanked all the representatives of the stakeholder agencies present and requested their cooperation in implementing the phase II of the project.