EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO–ECONOMIC DYNAMICS AND LANDSLIDES: THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE (TK) IN KOTHMALE COMMUNITIES, SRI LANKA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17501/27059901.2026.4102Keywords:
landslide, Kothmale, socio-economic dynamics, traditional knowledge, sustainable community-based landslide risk managementAbstract
Landslides are severe human-caused climate-related disasters relevant to Kothmale. Although precipitation and steep slopes are the main causes of landslides in Kothmale, the frequency and impact of these events in this area are a reflection of long-term socio- economic dynamics. This research explored the two-way relationship between socio - economic dynamics and landslides in Kothmale with special focus on the role of traditional knowledge in landslide disasters. This research uses a qualitative research strategy, and the thematic analysis focuses on investigating the connection between landslide vulnerability, socioeconomic factors, and the traditional knowledge in disaster risk management. The results reveal that socioeconomic vulnerability raised the intensity and frequency of landslides in Kothmale. Furthermore, traditional knowledge promotes socioeconomic resilience. But a clear knowledge gap was identified between younger and older generations regarding disaster-related traditional knowledge. Hence, this study recommended documenting traditional knowledge and encouraging its transmission to future generations. That contributed to promoting Sustainable Community-Based Landslide Risk Management in Kothmale.
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