In addition to a literature survey carried out on the area, a land use survey was undertaken over a period of three weeks in early 2003. This was done in the pre-tsunami time and changes can be witnessed in land use now. The findings are presented to give an idea of the area's diversity.
Medilla GS Division - Includes Kapuhenwala Bridge and Kapuhenwala village. 7 tourist ventures. Few owned by foreigners. Holiday resorts in Kapuhenwala village. Total of about 309 households. About 20 households were fully dependent on tourism prior to the tsunami, while another 10-15 benefit indirectly. Generally a positive attitude towards tourism among the village. Negative impacts are from those tourists who tend to stay long periods.
Medilla offers only its sandy beaches for tourism. It is claimed that tourists staying outside Medilla also visit these beaches.
Marakolliya - Total of 232 households but only 01 household involved in tourism activities. Foreigners have expressed interest in buying land in the village but the owners want to delay sales to obtain higher prices. Village has no beachfront, mangrove or other ecosystems to support ecotourism. There are also no archaeological or scenic sites. However, villages have a favourable disposition towards tourism.
Medagama - Has two villages; Medagama and Beliwalagoda. Beliwalagoda was surveyed and the village has 28 households. No one is involved in tourism. There are only 05 lands over 20 ha in extent, which includes a 35 ha paddy land.
Mangroves cover about 05 ha and about 30 species of local birds visit the area. Birds can be seen from November to March, particularly after 1700 hours. RDF coordinates a bird watching activity.
Best period to watch turtles is from July to September. There are sporadic arrivals during rest of the year.
Netolpitiya South - Adjoining he main Matara-Hambantota road. No beach front and no mangroves. No tourism. No empty lands. NARA research station is located within this village. Chena cultivation is the main economic pursuit. For about two years, 5-6 households are engaged in organic farming; mainly vegetables. These farms are visited by various local groups from outside. The produce from organic farms is marketed locally at the fair.
Rekawa West - Best ecological area. The coconut plantation between the lagoon and the sea is now fully owned by foreigners. No development still. TCP was located in this GS division. One hotel is in operation (Alexandra Garden) while another one is under construction. There is one historic temple with a timber 'Pirith Mandapya'. CCD has allocated two access roads through private lands but these have not been acquired as yet.
Villagers are not well disposed towards tourism. They are concerned about waste disposal, degradation of lagoon and loss of fishing, threats to the traditional socio-cultural values, etc. from tourism.
Rekawa East - There is sea coral mining near Oruwella, a boat landing site where erosion is visible. All households (about 100) are involved in coral mining and here are about 35 kilns in operation. Many families have their own kiln and some even have more than one!
No mangroves. Turtles land west of Oruwella.
Oruwella is claimed to be a scenic site and this need to be checked and confirmed.
Wellaodaya - Large lands (30-60 ha) available in the area. About 10% of the land is sold to foreigners. Many lands have joint ownership. About 05 households are involved in tourism activities. Darwin's beach hotel is located here. 04 villagers work here. Villagers feel that this hotel doe not contribute to breakdown of social and cultural values of the communities. It is also involved in turtle conservation. In addition to this hotel, one household has cabanas for tourists. There are 03 houses owned and used by tourists. Another house and land is being developed for tourism. There is still land with access roads but this situation needs to be preserved.
There are about 500 acres of mangrove cover. One historic site (Weheragala)
Migratory birds are seen in association with Kahanda lagoon.
Turtles nest on the beach. Darwin's hotel buy turtle eggs from villagers for Rs.3 each but villagers can get Rs.7-8 per egg outside. Hence, the number of eggs purchased by the hotel for conservation has declined recently.
Nidahasgama West - Located west of Kahandamodera. Include part of the Kahandamodera lagoon and claimed to be very scenic. Mangrove cover is about 30-35 acres. Many local and migrant birds visit the mangroves. There are about 267 households. Agriculture is the main activity of the villagers. About 10 households are involved in lagoon fishing.
There is no beachfront and no tourism. Villagers keen to be involved in ecotourism and an association has been formed under the Biodiversity project.
Kahandamodera - Includes a "Diyawara village" and a natural saltern. An area has also been demarcated for a saltern. There are 4-5 foreigners involved in tourist business in their own lands. An ayurvedic hotel "Villa Jesmine" has been set fire due to a conflict between the joint owners. One holiday resort is being run by a local. About 50-60 households benefit from tourism. Lands era being sold to foreigners.
Turtles reported to nest on the beaches. Mangroves cover 50-60 acres. Migratory birds visit the mangroves and saltern areas.
Gurupokuna - There is no state land. Kunukalliya Lewaya is a 200 acre natural saltern with parts in Kahandamodera. Fresh water comes from Udawewa. The 2-acre Medakandiya was a tank earlier but is filled now and listed as a playground.
Over 100 Pelicans are seen in the lagoon, in addition to about 15 other species of migratory birds.
No mangrove vegetation. One beach seine site where fishing can be observed during November to April. Turtle landings on the beach.
One holiday resort (cabanas). Land owners want to sell but are thwarted by unclear title deeds. Many of the new land owners are interested in selling at higher prices.
Villagers welcome the development of a saltern at Kunukaliya as this may provide jobs for the communities.
Bata Atha South - The tannery is located in this GS division, which has about 426 households. About 275 are fishing households. The "Sea Horse" foundation ran an ecotourism activity (with a cabana, oru) for bird watching in the lagoon but is inactive now.
Hungama - Within the National Park. A visitor centre by CRMP project was palnned. No infrastructure (roads) for bird watching.
Hathagala - About 760 acres of mangroves associated with Kalametiya lagoon. Fresh water influx into the lagoon has caused siltation and salinity loss.
No tourism activity yet; one developed but not operational as yet.
A beach seine fishing (Madel waraya) site on the beach.
Kivula South - Located between Lunama and Hathagala GS divisions. Within boundaries of the national Park. Main economic activity is shell mining (in Kalametiya /Lunama lagoons). No permits for mining. Nearly 80% of the villagers prefer development of tourism. Organization formed to rehabilitate mangroves. No beach front.
Lunama South - Located between Kivula South and Nonagama wewa. 17 empty lands (total about 18 acres). Include Ussangoda (sanctuary area) and Lunama lagoon.
Nonagama - Include Ussangoda, an area of about 500 acres coming under the Dept. of Archaeology. 3-4 roads have made deep and prominent tracts and signs of erosion seen. No facilities for visitors and many visitor activities detrimental to the preservation of the area.-
It is a scenic and a historic site. Turtle landings are reported to occur on the beach below.
Welipatanwila - Two lands near the beach have been purchased by foreigners but no development so far. "Ussangoda Surekeme Sanvidanaya" spearheaded protests have thwarted a major hotel project on 150 acres in the area.
Wanduruppa - Borders Walawe river on one side. No tourist activity yet. Pattiyawaraya beach seine site (madel waraya) is famous for its high catches during the season and a 'must' for tourists. Mangrove and estuary provide excellent scenic sites (and boat rides). It is also a favourite site of 'watu kurulla' and nests numbering 500-600 are not uncommon in the area.
Godawaya - 35-40 acres of mangroves on one side with nests of 'watu kurulla'. There is also an old historic temple where excavation by the Archaeological Dept. is ongoing.' Some pillars are found in the shallow sea. Historical significance needs to be explored. No tourist activity yet.
Visit to old Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) site at Rekawa - The facilities at the old TCP site are being used by Department of Wild Life (DWL) personnel (since August 2000) who have continued with the conservation work begun by TCP in the area. There are about 10 people from DWL who cover a 04 km stretch of the beach in search of turtle eggs. Eggs collected average 100,000 per year and about 85% goes to sea as hatchlings.
The green turtle is the most common visitor and the peak season for its visits is in January to July. Visits by the green turtle are reduced in other months. The Leatherback visits during August to January period. Visits by Olive Ridley and others are spread all year but in very small numbers. Best season for watching turtle nesting is March - April.
The 17 villagers who worked for TCP now work independently in soliciting tourists to see turtle nestings! |
