Stirrat, R.L.

This booklet presents the research findings of a project on participatory mechanisms for sustainable development of coastal ecosystems, which was carried out in the Puttalam District, Sri Lanka. It starts by summarizing the context in which the study has taken place. It discusses the concepts of participation in general, and of 'stakeholders' in particular, as well as how these concepts are being applied in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The booklet then summarizes the fieldwork findings.

This report presents the findings from the DFID-funded research project 'Participatory Mechanisms for Sustainable Development of Coastal Ecosystems' which took place between 1997-1999 in the Puttalam District, Sri Lanka. The research was a response to donors growing interest in participatory approaches to natural resource management (NRM) and coastal zone management (CZM). Within, the Puttalam District many typical CZM problems have manifested.