Muthurajawela, a hot spot for nature-lovers

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Sri Lanka is a paradise for endemic species and natural habitat, said a German tourist on his return from a bird-watching tour on the Negombo lagoon.

Imagine listening to the chorus of the exotic feathered creatures, the waterlilies dance to the rising sun, monkeys swinging on tree- tops and crocodiles moving stealthily in water. This may sound like a fantasy but at Muthurajawela it is a reality.

Muthurajawela, a name synonymous with bio-diversity would mesmerise visitors with its breathtaking ambience, serenity and natural beauty. It is home to rare species, migratory birds, fauna and flora and medicinal herbs.

A name that exudes mystery and romance, Muthurajawela is an 'emerald gem' that breaths freshness to the paradise island.

The 'Muthurajawela Visitor Centre', better known as the 'Marsh' is an entry point to the ecological haven which offers the avid eco-tourist a splendid opportunity to experience the charm of nature in its most pristine forms.

Local and foreign tourists come in large droves to enjoy a boat ride on the Hamilton Canal that glides past the rich diversity of the wetland plant and animal life to the mangrove woodlands of the Negombo lagoon.

A kite hovering above, the coots, herons and the egrets in an endless quest for food and fishermen on their canoes are mind calming and refreshing views of a tour-hour trip on serene waters.

The Hamilton Canal, also known as the Dutch Canal provided easy and cheap transport of goods from outlying areas to the Colombo port in the past. The canal was originally constructed by the Dutch and later improved and strengthened by the British. Fleets of fishing boats are berthed along the canal in Hendala.

Residents and visitors to the area said that the canal is ideal to promote water-sports, siteseeing and transportation.

Lush greenery, landscape and and natural surroundings is a hallmark of Sri Lanka's tourism which is on an upward spiral with the number of tourists anticipated to reach one million by the end of this year.

The number of visitors surpassed 850,000 in 2011 despite a challenging year for many Western countries which account for a major share of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka was ranked among the top five destinations to visit, according to a survey where UK visitors like to travel.