Mangrove splendour unfolded
By Rosanne Kolemeyer Anderson
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The cave-like entrance |
Bentota |
Reminiscent of love and romance, a river cruise to that perfect
hideout is a fun-filled exploration of nature’s splendour: the
marvellous mangrove, nestling on the Bentota river in close proximity to
one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, the Bentota beach where the sea
meets the river is one attraction not to be missed. But going there when
there is bright sun is best as the romantic hideout is quite dark and
capturing the beauty of it on camera may be unfavourable.
Entering the small cave like entrance of lush green vegetation: this
mangrove has been in existence for the past three decades or so, Supun
the guide narrated as he barely managed to steer the boat through
leisurely: the mangrove thriving in the sheltered bay is being trimmed
and kept accessible by the boat houses in Bentota .
An ecosystem with diverse attraction of fascinating flora and fauna
embedded in the nutrient rich sediment deposits which continues to
withstand severe environmental exposure and the alternating mix of fresh
and salty water; the mangrove on the Bentota river is yet another of
lassana Sri Lanka’s attractions drawing almost every visitor to the area
to make a trip down stream.
The valuable wood produced by the mangrove Supun explained is durable
and water resistant while its properties, the bark, the leaves and the
flowers are wide and varied.
The mangrove simply looks a beautiful work of art depicting its
intricacies in size, length, breadth and colour in the form of twisted
bark and bushy clusters spread over a vast area of its terrain; some
touching the water, so well grown almost totally hiding the sunlight
even at noon blending with the equally spread out exquisite long
drooping branches of different length and shades of earthy colour making
it a perfect merge of nature’s grandeur and gift to the Pearl of the
Indian Ocean: a tourist attraction and indeed a land like no other.
Shades of earthy colours |
Like a beautiful work of art |
Droopy branchesPix by Rosanne Kolemeyer Anderson |
Lush vegetation |
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