Livelihood improvement in the pipeline – SLTDA:

Community based tourism in Mullaitivu

By Mohammed Naalir

The Tourism industry has started to bloom resulting with the elimination of the LTTE conflict. The Government targets to generate 500,000 direct and indirect employments in the tourism industry by 2016. Livelihood and economic development are the main focus of developing the tourism industry in the North and East.

A hut near the Dedduwa tourism resort

There are several beautiful tourism attractions along the Sri Lankan coastal belt, including Pasikkuda, Punnakkuda in the Batticaloa district, Arugambay in the Ampara district and Nilaveli, Kuchchaveli, Marble beach and the Trincomalee Fort. In addition, there are several unknown attractions too.

Attention was paid to ‘beyond the beach’ tourism in 2001. Beyond the beach tourism is very interesting and deals with tourist attractions away from the beach.

The Government plans to implement a community based tourism development project in the Mullaitivu district. The livelihood improvement of farmers and fishermen will be the main focus of this project, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) sources said.

The areas between the Nandhikadal lagoon and the Nayaru lagoon have been identified to implement the proposed program, the SLTDA sources said.

Vadduvakal, Selvapuram, Karachikudiyiruppu, Unnapulavu, Kovilkudiyiruppu, Manalkudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu town, Kallapadu, Chilawatthai, Uppumaveli, Alampil and Chemmanalai villages will be absorbed into the community based tourism development program.

A spokesperson for the SLTDA said people in this area need not panic. Only state owned lands will be utilised in the tourism development process in Mullaitivu.

She said Namal Rajapaksa (MP) has given the authority to the SLTDA to promote community based tourism in Mullaitivu.

Mullaitivu fishermen with their haul

At the initial stage no huge buildings will be constructed. A soft approach will be followed which means the development activities will not affect the normal life of the local community, but they will be the stakeholders of the program. The ultimate benefit will also go to them, she said.

The spokesperson said that the SLTDA held a discussion with the Mullaitivu Government Agent N. Vethanayahan, who also recommended a community based tourism promotion program in the district. The programs would assure the livelihood improvement of the people.

Chilli and grape cultivation were famous in the district. Due to various reasons the cultivation of these crops were abandoned by the farmers. Now the farmers cultivate only paddy. The income from paddy cultivation is not sufficient to meet their livelihood expenditure.

The proposed agriculture based eco-tourism promotion program will give a helping hand to the farmers and the fishermen to improve their economy.

The National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) held a discussion at SLTDA, during which several issues faced by the district were discussed in depth.

The NPPD is developing the entire Mullaitivu district. The task of developing the tourism industry has been assigned to the SLTDA.

The SLTDA spokesperson said, “a major tourism development project is not possible in Mullaitivu as the people are far away from the industries. Creating awareness among the people is very important. Besides, there are hardly any facilities in the Mullaitivu beaches for holiday makers. There are no hotels to accommodate tourists in the district.

''The culture and traditions of the Mullaitivu people is totally different from the people in other regions. Hindus are the majority community in the district. Their building construction patterns are also different from the others.

''The development of the tourism industry should not affect the cultural and religious norms of the residents. For instance, the domestic tourists who attend Hindu festivals could contribute to the development of the temple.

''The domestic tourists who visit Mullaitivu will be able to share the cultural and religious values of that community.

''The fishermen can earn a good income by providing joy boat service to domestic tourists.

''The tourists can directly experience and enjoy paddy cultivation methods.

It would be a thrilling experience to the tourists residing far away from agriculture destinations.

Dedduwa lake.

The development of the tourism industry should encourage the fisheries industry as well as the agriculture sector. On the other hand the uniqueness and identity of Mullaitivu district can be promoted to other provinces through the tourism industry,” the spokesperson said. To develop the Mullaitivu district is easy as there is sufficient room for development. A large number of development projects can be implemented simultaneously in the district. The SLTDA sources said the Mullaitivu town is also to be relocated to a safe place. It is now located in a tsunami hazard zone.

The spokesperson said the Disaster Management Centre has also instructed that certain areas in the Mullaitivu town located below the sea level be relocated in a safe zone.

Now the private sector investors are constructing three tourist hotels in Mullaitivu close to Sinnaaru. There is enough room for joy boating in Mullaitivu. The domestic tourists should deploy the local fishermen for joy boating. It is intended to increase the income of the local fishermen.

Dedduwa located in the Bentota Divisional Secretariat Division is totally different from Mullaitivu. The SLTDA plans to implement a lake resort project in Dedduwa.

There are altogether 1,713 acres of land in Dedduwa including private lands. The private lands have also been acquired by the SLTDA. Dedduwa is a marshy land, and giant structures cannot be constructed in the site. Permission can be granted only for 100 rooms. The Ministry of Tourism and Southern Range Development has identified the Dedduwa lake and its surrounding Bentota as a suitable location for Eco-friendly tourism development under the beyond the beach tourism development concept.

The project will be beneficial to the tourism industry of the country and provide more direct and indirect employment opportunities to the communities in 18 Grama Niladari Divisions in the Bentota Divisional Secretary’s Division, the SLTDA sources said.

Marshy land in Dedduwa

The SLTDA has prepared a Conceptual Plan of the Dedduwa Lake Resort project. A wide range of tourism activities and facilities including Eco, nature and Eco-tourism have been identified.

The Dedduwa tourism area is gifted with natural attractions including, inland lakes, wetlands, flora and fauna, diverse biodiversity, Eco-systems, beaches in the neighbourhood, temples, villages, cultural activities and paddy and cinnamon cultivation. As part of the Conceptual Plan the following tourism activities and facilities had been identified: boating, fishing, bird watching, cycling, camping, golf, nature/village walks, agro tourism and water sports.

The proposed tourism facilities include, water bungalows, chalets, floating rooms, camping tents, observation tower/decks, cinnamon museum, flower/water gardens, amusement park, floating restaurants, Ayurvedic spa and souvenir shops.

1. Water based recreation,
2. Nature walks and recreation,
3. Services, demonstration and education,
4. Exclusive development both land and water,
5. Wetland associated development wetland frontage,
6. Water based development and
7. Enhancement of environment and its protection.