Travel: Coralling in Hikkaduwa this season
by Nilma Dole
The joy of witnessing underwater
and experiencing a world unmatched by any other is truly an exciting
experience. Welcome to the underwater world of Hikkaduwa that is blessed
with a natural and beautiful coral reef, dazzlingly coloured fishes and
brilliant aquatic life.
Sri Lanka has been a die-hard diving destination for years known
secretly by those who thirst for adventure and a longing to learn more
about Mother Nature.
Besides being the cheapest, convenient and professional way to get a
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Sri Lanka has a
wealth of water wildlife to offer.
Showcasing the best of Mother Nature, the gorgeous underwater world
takes your breath away, and by no means do you hold your breath under
water. Scuba diving gives you the best equipment adhering to the best
safety standards.
The oldest diving institution in Sri Lanka, the Poseidon Diving
School has garnered the 5 star status which means that if you graduate
with the basic PADI diver course, you can dive anywhere in the world.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer was Chamil Nandasena whose father
S.K.Nandasena (a.k.a. Leslie) established the Poseidon Diving Staton in
1973 with the combined efforts of Sven Holmberg and Bertl Magnusson.
In 1998, the centre was registered as a PADI Dive Centre with Chami
Sembakuttige as its principal instructor and has since grown but
maintained the same friendly and professional reputation.
In 2004, the esteemed institution was recognised by PADI for their
achievements, high standards and contribution to community and
environment, and became the first PADI Five Star Centre in Sri Lanka.
Training us to dive in the PADI Open Water Diver course was
British-born Thailand-certified Diving Instrutor Jane Hutchinson who
taught us special scuba diving skills while also making us feel
comfortable in the water. The beauty of swimming in Walduwa and gliding
easily in Cave Hikkaduwa was a pleasant experience.
It is only when we go underwater do we see the beauty of aquatic life
that Sri Lanka has been blessed with so it is important not to take it
for granted. The delicate coral reef supports nearly 5000 species of
underwater life and is known as the ‘rainforests of the sea’.
While we imagine most of the corals are dead, there are some now
developing and forming but we should be careful not to destroy them. By
doing diving, you are protecting Mother Nature by telling people to
protect our beloved gifts.
Divers who see garbage scattered around promptly pick it up and also
make sure boats don’t anchor on the delicate corals but on the sandy
rocky bed.
Further corals shouldn’t be mined and even though the jewellery shop
keepers in Hikkaduwa tell that what they are selling is Indian corals,
the world’s corals shouldn’t be mined. So love Mother Nature and don’t
dump your garbage in the sea, protect and love her because if we don’t
save her, we won’t be able to save ourselves. |
