Hikkaduwa's corals being threatened

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Hikkaduwa

Corals, diving, glass bottom boats and the charming hotels are some of the main attractions that drive both local and foreign tourists to Hikkaduwa. It is said that Hikkaduwa is the birthplace of local tourism as from the early 1950s tourists from India used to take the train or the ferry to Talaimannar and then come to Hikkaduwa via the train. For them too the corals were the attraction.

However today due to negligence, arrogance and ignorance of the public the corals are dying rapidly and if steps are not taken to restore them experts say they will be completely wiped out in less than six years.

Some of the replanted corals in Hikkaduwa

Years of fishing boat damage, dynamiting the area to catch fish and the burning of coral for lime has taken its toll, particularly close to the shore. In addition sand too has been swept over the corals making them almost invisible. Boat anchors too have damaged the corals.

After several appeals were made, the government and the Ministry of Environment took meaningful steps to protect the corals by naming the area as a coral sanctuary. In an attempt to help the corals to regain its former glory, an International Diving School located in Coral Sands Hotel Hikkaduwa has begun a corals restoration project.

Headed by its Managing Director, Somadasa de Silva, and his team they have created an artificial reef from specially made concrete blocks and 'planted' them with coral harvested from distant sites out of reach of the coral vandals.

This project is proving to be very successful as corals tied to the concrete blocks are now starting to grow bringing back the glory beneath the sea. These efforts were recognised by the Association of German Travel Agents and Tour Operators (DRV - Deutscher ReiseVerband), which selected this coral re-planting project, as the recipient of its annual environmental award.Somadasa de Silva received the award from Marbach, Managing Director of LTU and Board Member DRV at the DRV Annual Congress in November 2006, in Teneriffe, Spain. In addition PADI Worldwide which is the governing body on diving has recognized the work done by him to preserve the biodiversity in the Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary and has awarded him a "Certificate of Recognition for Excellence".

Using his three decades of diving experience he also initiated a reef cleanup program with the assistance of Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club and IUCN (World Conservation Union) and volunteers. The main purpose was to remove the fishing nets entangled on the reef. This exercise was rather difficult due to the prevailing rough sea condition however they managed to cut fishing nets and float it using makeshift airbags, and snorkelers removed it to the boat. The debris scattered in the shallow water was also removed by volunteers, and disposed. He currently holds seminars to educate schoolteachers and schoolchildren about coral conservation with the assistance of USAID. He also outlined the importance of reefs and how it can help prevent environmental disasters such as sea erosion and how Hikkaduwa coral reef became a barrier for the giant waves that crashed in the tsunami at these seminars.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa also inquired about the progress of the coral project and requested that the proposal for the planned conservation project be submitted for his perusal. In recognition of his work for the conservation of corals, the President presented a commemorative plaque to Somadasa.

The Hikkaduwa Hoteliers Association President Siri Gunasinghe said that tougher laws and more supervision is needed to protect Hikkaduwa's bread and butter, the corals.

P.G. Sunil who operates a glass bottom boat says that one of the problems they face is a lack of a common buoy to lay their anchors in mid sea. We have no option other than to anchor in sea and yes it damages the corals, he said.

If the government can place common buoys, boats could anchor on it and avoid putting their anchors to sea. A restaurant owner in the beach G. Samamrasekera said that though the foreigners take great care not to damage the environment local tourists litter the beach despite Hikkaduwa being their country. We have told them several times but without success he said.

Though Hikkaduwa Sea is a no fishing zone this is not adhered to as the Police is not in touch in this regard.

It is sad that the very people who were protected by the reef and corals against the tsunami are today damaging it forgetting what gratitude is and making the area vulnerable even for a big wave. Their actions also kill the tourism industry that brightens their livelihoods.