The Ramsar Convention is the international foundation that works towards the preservation of wetlands which are considered an integral part of our ecosystem. The countless contributions of wetlands to protect shorelines, maintain the environmental balance and home numerous aquatic plants and mammals are often forgotten by man. The island nation of Sri Lanka has always taken its sanctuaries, wildlife and marine life seriously; hence the Anawilundawa wetland less than 100 km away from the financial centre of Colombo still remains in almost its original form. The wetland is recognized and preserved by the Ramsar convention and is quite close to the Negombo lagoon and the shoreline that connects Negombo to Chilaw.
This is an area with a high density of hotels and recreational facilities. A Chilaw beach hotel is not too far from the border of the wetland but for dozens of years they have coexisted beautifully. Even recent additions such as the Anantaya Resort & Spa Chilaw have taken precautions to not be in the way of this ecosystem. Bird watchers are the most common visitors to the park with the enthusiastic naturalists joining them often as well.
The man made irrigation system that had been installed within this aquatic paradise probably about thousand years ago does not function fully as there had been disruptions to the waterways. Nevertheless the nine tanks continue to exist to maintain the equilibrium of the environment in the area and absorb the water that flows in from a river nearby.
Migratory birds are welcomed with open arms and are seen mostly when the northern hemisphere experiences winter. The mangroves and swamps are also home to 74 different types of fluttering butterflies and a number of mammals including the toque monkey, rusty spotted cat and the slender loris. Anawilundawa is one of the six Ramsar accredited wetlands in the country and a true haven of over a thousand hectares for all its inhabitants.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+
