National Wetland DIRECTORY of Sri Lanka
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
National Wetland DIRECTORY of Sri Lanka Central Environmental Authority National Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka This publication has been jointly prepared by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), The World Conservation Union (IUCN) in Sri Lanka and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The preparation and printing of this document was carried out with the financial assistance of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka. i The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the CEA, IUCN or IWMI concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the CEA, IUCN or IWMI. This publication has been jointly prepared by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The preparation and publication of this directory was undertaken with financial assistance from the Royal Netherlands Government. Published by: The Central Environmental Authority (CEA), The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka. Copyright: © 2006, The Central Environmental Authority (CEA), International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and the International Water Management Institute. Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: IUCN Sri Lanka and the Central Environmental Authority (2006) National Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-8177-54-7 Cover photograph: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Produced by: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Printed by: Karunaratne & Sons Ltd., 67, UDA Industrial Estate, Katuwana Road, Homagama, Sri Lanka Available from: The Central Environmental Authority, 104, Robert Gunawardana Mawatha, ‘Parisara Piyasa’, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka The World Conservation Union (IUCN), 53, Horton Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), 127, Sunil Mawatha, Pelawatte, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka ii Table of Contents Table of Contents iii Abbreviations v Acknowledgements vi Message from the Hon. Minister of Environment viii Background 1 Methodology 2 An Overview of the Wetlands of Sri Lanka and their Conservation Significance 7 Data Sheets - Anaiwilundawa tank sanctuary 21 - Arugam lagoon 26 - Bar reef 31 - Batticaloa estuary 36 - Bellanwila-Attidiya marshes 41 - Bentota estuary 46 - Bolgoda wetlands 51 - Bundala National Park 56 - Colombo flood detention areas 61 - Giant’s tank 66 - Gregory’s lake 70 - Gulf of Mannar reefs 75 - Hikkaduwa National Park 80 - Horton Plains National Park 85 - Inginimitiya reservoir 90 - Jaffna lagoon 95 - Kahandamodara mangroves 99 - Kalaoya estuary 104 - Kalawewa tank 109 - Kantale tank 114 - Kaudulla tank 118 - Koggala lagoon 123 - Kotmale reservoir 129 - Lahugala and Kitulana tanks 134 - Lunama-Kalametiya lagoons 138 iii - Lunugamvehera reservoir 144 - Maduganga estuary 149 - Reservoirs of Maduru Oya National Park 155 - Maha and Karagan Lewaya 160 - Mahaweli flood plains 165 - Minneriya reservoir 170 - Mundel lake 175 - Muthurajawela marshes 180 - Nachchaduwa tank 186 - Negombo estuary 190 - Nuwarawewa tank 196 - Padaviya tank 201 - Palatupana lagoon 205 - Palk bay and Vidattaitivu lagoon 210 - Parakrama samudraya 215 - Pasikudah-Kalkudah reef 220 - Periyakarachchi and Sinnakarachchi lagoons 225 - Pigeon Island National Park 229 - Polhena reef 234 - Pottuvil lagoon 238 - Puttalam estuary 243 - Rekawa lagoon 249 - Ruhuna National Park 255 - Rumassala Marine Sanctuary 261 - Senanayake samudraya 266 - Tabbowa tank 271 - Thalangama tank 276 - Udawalawe reservoir 281 - Unawatuna reef 287 - Vankalai triangle 292 - Victoria Randenigala Rantambe reservoirs 297 - Wahalkada tank 302 - Walauwatta Wathurana swamp forest 306 - Weerawila-Tissa-Debara-Yoda tanks 311 - Weligama reef 317 - Wilpattu National Park 322 - Yala East National Park 328 Bibliography 331 iv Abbreviations ADB - Asian Development Bank CBC - Ceylon Bird Club CCA - Coast Conservation Act CCD - Coast Conservation Department CEA - Central Environmental Authority CORDIO - Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean CRMP - Coastal Resources Management Project CTB - Ceylon Tourist Board DFAR - Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources DS - Divisional Secretary DWC - Department of Wildlife Conservation EPA - Environmental Protection Area FARA - Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act FFPO - Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance FMA - Fishery Management Area FOGSL - Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka GA - Government Agent GCRMN - Global Coral Reef Monitoring Program GEF - Global Environmental Facility GN - Grama Niladhari IBA - Important Bird Areas IUCN - The World Conservation Union IWRB - International Waterfowl and Wetland Research Bureau LLDC - Low Lying Areas and Development Cooperation MASL - Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka MEC - Mahaweli Economic Agency MoE - Ministry of Environment NAQDA - National Aquaculture Development Agency NARA - National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency NEA - National Environmental Act NECCDEP - Northeast Coastal Community Development Project PAM-WCP - Protected Area Management and Wildlife Conservation Project PCMA - Participatory Coastal Management Act RUK - Rekawa, Ussangoda, Kalametiya SAI - South Asia Institute SAM - Special Area Management SCOTIA - Sustainable Coastal Tourism Project for Asia SLLRDC - Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation SLSAC - Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club TCP - Turtle Conservation Project UDA - Urban Development Authority UNDP - United Nations Development Programme USAID - United States Agency for International Development WNPS - Wildlife and Nature Protection Society v Acknowledgments The Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) gratefully acknowledge the National Wetlands Steering Committee (NWSC), the NWSC Research Committee and the Technical Review Panel for their constructive comments during the preparation of this document. Professor Sarath Kotagama (Department of Zoology, University of Colombo) and the Ceylon Bird Club are gratefully acknowledged for providing data on selected wetlands. Additionally, the organisations would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of their respective teams during all phases of this project. The Royal Netherlands Embassy is gratefully acknowledged for providing the financial support needed to prepare and publish this document. Roles and Responsibilities Project Coordinators Ajith Rodrigo (CEA) Asha de Vos (IUCN) Sanjiv De Silva (IWMI) Technical Supervision and Guidance Channa Bambaradeniya (IUCN) Overall Compiler Asha de Vos (IUCN) Preparation of Data Sheets Asha de Vos (IUCN) Nishan Perera (IUCN) Channa Bambaradeniya (IUCN) Bhathiya Kekulandala (IUCN) Vimukthi Weeratunge (IUCN) Nishanthi Perera (IUCN) Preparation of Maps Prasad Thenkabail (IWMI) Aminul Islam (IWMI) Chandanie Edussuriya (CEA) Ajith Gunawardena (CEA) TT Fernando (CEA) KG Chandrakanthie (CEA) EMASK Wimalathilake (CEA) vi Field Survey Team Asha de Vos (IUCN) Chandana Asela (IUCN) Roshan Rodrigo (IUCN) Kaushalya Wijayaweera (IUCN) Pradeep Samarawickrama (IUCN) Editing of Draft Directory Anshuman Saikia (IUCN) Shiranee Yasaratne (IUCN) Channa Bambaradeniya (IUCN) External Technical Review Panel Jayampathi Samarakoon Sarath Kotagama N Suresh Kumar Gamini Jayasinghe WRMS Wickremasinghe Hesther Basnayake Ajith Rodrigo Sarath Fernando Jagath Gunawardena Max Finlayson Lalith Wikramanayake vii Message from the Hon. Minister of Environment Sri Lanka is a country blessed with a rich natural and cultural heritage. The hydraulic civilization, which dates back to the BC era, is testimony to the judicious use of skills, nature and natural resources by our forefathers. Wetlands whether man made or natural, has been the lifeline of this ancient civilization. Therefore, our early ancestors realised the importance of managing wetlands. They considered water as something “holy” that should not be tampered by human interventions. With advancements in science, we have now realised that wetlands possess not only ecological significance but economic value as well. Among the natural wetlands in Sri Lanka, the Bundala, Anaiwilundawa and Maduganga wetlands have been recognised as having international significance. Similarly man-made wetlands, which are popularly known as “tanks”, play a vital role in the economic development of the country. However, at present a majority of the wetlands in Sri Lanka are adversely affected by human activities such as unauthorised filling, waste disposal, pollution due to effluent discharges, clearing of natural vegetation in and around wetlands, spread of invasive alien species etc. Recognizing the continuous pressures on wetlands and also to ensure their protection, the government recently approved a National Policy on Wetlands together with Conservation Strategies. Therefore, I welcome the collaborative effort of the Central Environmental