Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary
Description
Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary is located in the Puttalam district in the near city of Chilaw. The Anawilundawa is in the vicinity of three extensively altered ecosystems; the coast, the mangroves and the water tanks giving it one of the six RAMSAR Wetlands in Sri Lanka. This unusual environmental context has delivered a convenient nesting and breeding territory for the number of species of birds.
One thousand three hundred ninety-seven hectares of forest land comprises nine tanks; six giant artificial tanks, particularly Pinkattiya, Maradansola, Anawilundawa, Mayyawa, Surawila and Vellawali and three subsidiary tanks, everyone combined with the other and working as one factor. Those tanks store water for irrigation and cultivation and serve as a natural habitat and home for 150 species of waterbirds in addition to a few species of endangered Fish, Amphibians, Mammals, and Reptiles.
Some of the Bird varieties found here are a large breeding colony of Herons, the Open-bill, Great cormorant, White ibis, Egret, Pheasant-tailed jacana and the Purple swamphen. In addition, a total of 20 species of mammals have been recorded here, including the Rusty-spotted cat, Fishing cat, the Indian otter, Toque monkey and 74 species of butterflies. Several endemic and resident birds can be observed throughout the year, while the migrants are best seen between October and April.
Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary is an ideal amongst bird watchers and nature enthusiasts who come here to find rare birds, watch their action in their natural environment and revel in some exceptional picture-taking.
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A Sanctuary of Unique Ecosystems
The Anawilundawa Sanctuary is unique for its collision of three distinct ecosystems covering 1,397 hectares, the forest wetlands (including the mangrove- and freshwater swamps), the coast's saltwater ecosystem, and the freshwater lakes. This exceptional melding of environments has created a unique ecological nesting and breeding ground for hundreds of bird species.
History of the Tank System
The tank system at Anawilundawa goes back to the 12th century, and it was created by human-made cascading tanks or reservoirs, ranging between 12 and 50 hectares each and totalling some 200 hectares. The tanks were built to keep traditional paddy fields and small islands of natural vegetation alive. Unfortunately, the waterways that fed this system have been lost without a trace. Today, these tanks are provided by the flood waters of the Deduru Oya brought to the area via the Sengaloya scheme. These tanks have created a natural habitat ideal for birds and supplied water to paddy fields around this area for over 800 years.
Biodiversity
The Anawilundawa Sanctuary is home to more than 150 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, 70 species of butterflies, and more than 50% of Sri Lanka's freshwater fish species. Additionally, the site harbours several species of threatened fish, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and especially reptiles and supports up to 40% of the vertebrate species found in Sri Lanka. Also, the system is an important place for migratory birds to rest, and it is home to about half of the freshwater fish species in the country, including at least three species that live nowhere else.
The Tanks
The tank system at Anawilundawa consists of six large man-made tanks and three peripheral tanks interconnected to create a complex irrigation system. The larger tanks are Pinkattiya, Maradansola, Anawilundawa, Mayyawa, Surawila, and Vellawali. In this dry region, the tanks store water for irrigation purposes and play a significant role in flood control, aquifer recharge, retention of pollutants and sediments, and nutrient export.
Threats to the Sanctuary
Although local communities have practised sustainable traditional farming and fishing since ancient times, an extension of prawn (shrimp) farms in surrounding areas has resulted in mangrove destruction, pollution, and eutrophication caused by wastewater releases. Other potential threats derived from the spread of two species of invasive alien fish and four plants and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in nearby coconut plantations.
Best Season to Visit
The sanctuary is best visited between October and April to spot the rarer migratory birds that visit the area. In addition, it is an ideal attraction for birdwatching, hiking, and boat-ride adventures.