A-PAD SL’s Assessment on Calido Beach’s Ecological and Development Concerns
The coastal landscapes that once stood as symbols of natural beauty are now facing unprecedented threats. At Calido Beach, a critical environmental transformation challenges our understanding of ecological balance. A-PAD Sri Lanka has committed itself to addressing these challenges through comprehensive investigations, including detailed discussions with Tangerine Beach Hotel management and extensive field assessments that reveal a complex environmental crisis demanding strategic intervention.
Our technical investigation uncovered a profound environmental and development concern triggered by the 2017 sandbar removal at Calido Beach, which was cut off to widen the river mouth as a solution to drain water during the heavy floods of May 2017. This intervention has led to geomorphological shifts, including altered sediment transport and wave dynamics, accelerating shoreline recession and threatening marine habitats, local infrastructure, and community livelihoods. The intricate changes in river mouth hydrology, compounded by shifts in rainfall patterns, have created a perfect storm of environmental degradation.
The crisis extends beyond visible land loss, with coastal infrastructure facing unprecedented vulnerability. Tourism and marine-dependent economic sectors are experiencing direct damage, while saltwater intrusion progressively threatens marine biodiversity creating a complex challenge that demands integrated, multidisciplinary approaches.
A-PAD Sri Lanka remains committed to transforming this challenge into an opportunity for a sustainable coastal community. By engaging government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and local communities, we are developing comprehensive strategies that prioritize ecological restoration and community resilience, creating long-term adaptive solutions for vulnerable coastal ecosystems.
