ECOTOURISM POTENTIAL AT ANAWILUNDAWA

The environmental and cultural diversity of Anawilundawa Sanctuary area offers a high potential to develop as an ecotourism destination in Sri Lanka.

Anawilundawa wetland sanctuary is located between the coast and the Negombo – Puttalum railway line, in the Puttalum District of the North western province of Sri Lanka, covering an extent of 1400 ha. The closest towns are Chilaw (10km) in the south and Puttalum (35km) to the north.

The Anawilundawa Sanctuary was established in June 1997 by the Department of Wild Life Conservation under the provision of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and administered by the DWC. The declaration as a sanctuary resulted due to the wetland’s unusual biological diversity, unique ecosystem of natural and manmade habitats and a cultural heritage linked to the irrigation works.

In August 2001, the sanctuary was recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as waterfowl habitat (Ramsar Convention).
 

The tank system of Anawilundawa is of historical significance, being built by King Parakrambahu the Great, dating back to 1140 AD. The system consists of seven small cascading reservoirs namely, Pinkattiya, Wellawela, Maradansole, Irrakkawala/Ihala Wewa, Anawilundawa, Suruwila and Maiyawa roughly from North to south. The tank system covers an area of about 188ha and none of them exceed a maximum depth of 4m at the deepest point. All reservoirs are interconnected through spill ways and the excess water ultimately flows to the lowest Maiyawa tank and from their in to the Dutch Canal.and to the sea.

2.1 Landscape and Physical features:
These tanks are separated from each other by low earthen, largely overgrown bunds. Most of these bunds also serve as roads between villages on the eastern side of the reservoir complex and paddy fields on the west. To the west of the reservoirs is a large area occupied by paddy fields, (mosaic) with interspersed natural vegetation on high ground. Further to the west runs the Dutch canal connecting Mundel Lake in the North with Deduru oya estuary, north of Chilaw, in the south.The Dutch Canal is separated from the sea by a narrow sand dune ridge.

The wetland is fringed on its eastern side by dense secondary scrub forest stretching up to Negombo- Puttalam road in some locations. Water logged marshy land on either side of the Dutch Canal are being used for the development of pond aquaculture.The land formation and the wetland characteristics of the area have facilitated the occurrence of a rich unique biological diversity that can be considered as one of the main attractions for ecotourism. The major components of the biological wealth can be briefed as follows.

2.2 Ecosystem diversity:
Three major types of ecosystems have been identified within the sanctuary, namely, Freshwater wetland systems, Brackish water wetland systems and Terrestrial and Agricultural systems. Major Habitat / vegetation types found in each of these ecosystems are as follows.

• Freshwater wetland systems

  • Tanks, canals and river (open water, floating and submerged vegetation and wet grasslands at the edge of water bodies.

  • Marsh and seasonally flooded grasslands

  • Reed beds
     

• Brackish water wetland systems

  • Mangroves

  • Salt marshand seasonally flooded grasslands

  • Brackish water canals – Dutch Canal (open water and mud flats)
     

• Terrestrial and agricultural systems

  • Vegetation in the riparian area of tanks – locally refered to as wew thawulla (mosaic of dry semi-evergreen forest patches ,scrublands and short grasslands , which gets inundated during the rainy season)

  • Vegetation associated with tank bunds.

  • Riverine vegetation

  • Paddy fields and associated vegetation

  • Home gardens

  • Beach and sand dunes.

2.3 Species Diversity:
Flora:
Recent studies revealed the occurrence of 264 plant species, belonging to 86 families within Anawilundawa Sanctuary. Of the total 218 are native while one species namely Vernonia zeylanica (Pupulu) is endemic to Sri Lanka. Two species (Aponogeton natans,Diospyros ebenum) are listed as nationally threatened plants.(IUCN Sri lanka, 2000). A total of 45 introduced species have been recorded and nine of them are considered as invasive alien plant species. The list includes 110 woody plant species, 54 shrub species, 68 herbaceous plant species, 30 species of climbers and two species of epiphytes. Shrubs (woody multi stemmed plants) and herbs (plants with leaves and non woody stems) are the predominant plant life forms in the terrestrial habitats of Anawilundawa. The total includes 22 aquatic plant species while most of the plant species are of direct or indirect medicinal value and used in traditional medicine.

Fauna:
A total of 237 vertebrate species, representing 39% of the native inland vertebrate fauna of Sri Lanka have been recorded from Anawilundawa. In addition to this 37 species of migrant birds have been observed from the sanctuary totaling up to 274 vertebrate species belonging to 112 families. Ten species of the native vertebrates are endemic to Sri Lanka

while 19 species are nationally threatened (IUCN Sri Lanka 2000). The Vertebrates include 4 species of fish, 9 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, 168 species of birds and 20 species of mammals.

Fishes of Anawilundawa
A total of 29 species of freshwater belonging to 11 families have been recorded from the tanks canals and other fresh water habitats, while 18 species of brackish water fish belonging to 17 families were documented in the Dutch canal and associated brackish water habitats. 4 of the fresh water fish species namely, Flying Barb (Esomus thermoicos), Redside Barb (Puntius bimaculatus), Filamented Barb (Puntius sinhala) and Walking Catfish (Clarius brachysoma) are endemic to the island. Among the fresh water fishes the Flying Barb (Esomus thermoicos) is nationally threatened while four are introduced.

The Murrel (Channa striata), Stinging Catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), Perl Spot (Etropus Suratensis) and the exotic Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and Trichogaster pectoralis are species that are abundant in the tank system while Dwarf Panchax (Aplocheilus parvus) and Gerrus abreatus are common species in the Dutch canal.

Herpetofauna of Anawilundawa
Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary harbours 9 species of amphibians belonging to 4 families. Of these, one species (Sri Lankan Wood Frog – Rana gracilis) is endemic and threatened as well. The common amphibians include toads (Common Toad – Bufo melanostictus), frogs (Six-toed Green Frog – Euphlyctis hexadactylus, Skipper Frog – Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) and tree frogs (Chunam Tree-Frog – Polypedates maculatus). Most of these species could be observed, in tanks & associated riparian areas, roadside habitats, tank bunds and water holes, mainly at dusk. The Six-toed Green Frog (Euphlyctis hexadactylus) and the Common Paddy Field Frog (Limnonectes limnocharis) are the commonest amphibian species in Anawilundawa.
The reptiles recorded from Anawilundawa consist of 30 species belonging to11 families. These include 2 endemic species and 4 species that are nationally threatened. The reptilian fauna of Anawilundawa occupies a wide range of ecological niches, such as freshwater (E.g., Flapshell Turtle – Lissemys punctata), terrestrial (E.g., Star Tortoise – Geochelone elegans, Cobra – Naja naja), fossorial (E.g., Skinks, Lankascincus fallax, & Sphenomorphus rufogulus) and arboreal (E.g., Geckoes- Hemidactylus frenatus, & H. brookii, Green Vine Snake – Ahaetulla nasutus) habitats. A fairly high population of Star Tortoise can be seen in seasonally flooded grasslands. The serpents of Anawilundawa include three highly venomous species in Sri Lanka; the Cobra – Naja naja, Russell’s Viper – Daboia russellii and the Common Indian Krait – Bungarus caeruleus.

Avifauna of Anawilundawa
The system of ancient tanks and other wetlands in Anawilundawa sanctuary, has made it a paradise for birds, including many migratory bird species. Nearly half of the native bird

species in Sri Lanka i.e. 131 species have been recorded from the sanctuary. This includes 2 endemic species, and 9 species that are nationally threatened. Including 37 species of winter migrants Anawilundawa harbours a total of 168 bird species belonging to 56 families. The birds of Anawilundawa can be categorized into several groups; Wetland birds (Waders, Gulls and Terns, Ducks, Herons, Egrets and Storks, Cormorants, Kingfishers, etc.), Forest birds (Woodpeckers, Barbets, Pigeons, Raptors), Scrubland birds (Bulbuls, Doves) and Grassland birds (Munias, Prinias, Pipits, Larks and Raptors). Birds ranging in size from the tiny Pale-billed Flower-pecker to the larger Spot-billed Pelican occur at Anawilundawa.

The tanks and associated wetlands such as marshes and mudflats provide ideal resting and feeding habitats for numerous species of winter migrants, especially the wading birds and ducks. The vast numbers of migratory Stints, Sandpipers, Plovers, Terns, Gulls and especially Ducks such as Gargonies and Pintails share the wetlands with resident wetland birds such as Herons, Egrets, Pelicans, Cormorants, Teals, Storks and Stilts. The migratory bird species begin to arrive in Anawilundawa by mid-August, with the commencement of the harsh winter season in the Northern hemisphere (Eastern Europe) and continue to stay there till late April. Anawilundawa provides one of the first feeding grounds for the migratory birds that come through the Western coastal migratory route that enters Sri Lanka from Mannar area.

The presence of mixed-species feeding flocks of birds is another interesting highlight in Anawilundawa Sanctuary especially in the riparian-forested area between Anawilundawa tank and the Pahini emba. The White-vented Drongo often leads mixed species bird flocks of Anawilundawa and about 8 species have been recorded to participate in flocks. 10-20 birds have been recorded as participants in a single flock, out of which the commonest is the Purple-rumped Sunbird.

The sanctuary serves as one of the first feeding grounds for migrant birds that reach Sri Lanka from the Northwestern part of the island. The migration period begins from August with the commencement of the harsh winter in the Northern hemisphere and continues up to mid April. While 37 migratory bird species have bee recorded the highlight in the sanctuary is the large aggregations of Garganeys (Anas querquedule) and Pintail ducks (Anas acuta), who share the habitat with other migrant and native waterfoul species.

Even within the study of four months we were able to identify few species that were not included in previously published information on the Sanctuary (e.g. Brown Wood Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, White-naped Woodpecker, Common Kestrel and Ruddy-breasted Crake).

Mammals of Anawilundawa
A total of 20 species of mammals belonging to 13 families have been recorded in Anawilundawa sanctuary. The list consists of one endemic (Toque Monkey – Macaca sinica) and five threatened species (Slender Loris - Loris lydekkerianus, Rusty Spotted Cat - Prionailurus rubiginosus, Fishing Cat - Prionailurus viverrinus & Indian Otter - Lutra lutra). Mammals include, small mammals (Rats, Mice and Shrews), bats (Flying fox), small herbivores (Black-naped Hare, Mouse deer), carnivores (Fishing cat, Rusty-

spotted cat, Mongoose), scavengers (Jackal) and arboreal species (Toque Monkey, Slender Loris). A small herd of three to four Elephants have occasionally visited the sanctuary during the dry season in the recent past.. Highlight of the mammals in Anawilundawa sanctuary is the occurrence of a considerably high population of Slender Lorises.

Invertebrate fauna of Anawilundawa
The rich composition of butterflies recorded in Anawilundawa includes 74 species, belonging to 8 families This includes the largest butterfly in Sri Lanka – the Ceylon Birdwing (Troides darsius), which is endemic to the island and a threatened species. A total of 12 nationally threatened species of butterflies have been recorded from the sanctuary. The most common species in Anawilundawa include species belonging to the Family Pieridae; Mottled Immigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe) and the Small Grass Yellow (Eurema brigitta), Family Danidae; Blue tiger (Tirumala limniace), Common Tiger (Danaus genutia), Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus), and single banded crow and Lyceanids such as the Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis).

A total of 13 species of dragonflies and damselflies belonging to 4 families have been recorded in Anawilundawa. Apart from butterflies, dragonflies several other interesting invertebrates occur in Anawilundawa, such as a wide array of spiders and moths.

2.4 Biodiversity Hotspots within the sanctuary:
Several areas in the sanctuary have been identified as biodiversity hotspots, based on criteria such as habitat and species diversity, habitat uniqueness, species rarity, feeding and roosting sites etc. The main hotspots identified are;

• Seasonally flooded area of Maiyawa tank

• Seasonally flooded area of Suruwila tank.

• Seasonally flooded area of Anawilundawa tank.

• Forest patch situated east to the waterway from Pahiniemba to Anawilundawa tank.

2.5 Cultural Diversity:
There is an estimated population of 2,300 live within the five villages namely, Anawilundawa, Suruwila, Maiyawa, Pinkattiya and Maradansole.

Anawilundawa is the oldest settlement and has a cluster of houses of some 90 extended families depending on traditional agriculture. The village Suruwila came in to being with five families on lands donated by ancestors of Anawilundawa. Maiyawa village also established in a similar manner as an adjacent settlement. It is believed that Pinkattiya and Maradansole villages were established in the same manner to accommodate residents of other neighboring community members to get their support for agricultural pursuits.

Recent surveys revealed that out of the employed 17% of Anawilundawa, 9% Battulu oya, and 20% of Suruwila are engaged in paddy farming.

Dairy farming is another source of income for the villagers and the cattle population of the area stands approximately 1600. Mainly free grazing is practiced in the area.
Other livelihoods of people depend on freshwater fisheries, animal husbandry (Dairy, Poultry and Piggery ) , collection of bulbs and flowers of Nelum (Nelumbo nucifera) and NTFPs. Other commercial activities include coconut cultivation, coastal fishing and prawn farming located in close proximity to the wetland. Apart from these activities some of the villagers also engage in cottage industries such as basket viewing etc.