KALPITIYA CORALS AT RISK

The two coral reefs in the Kalpitiya Marine Sanctuary are in danger of extinction, much to the anxiety of environmentalists and thousands of people dependent on tourism.

The environmentalists pointed out that the coral reefs in the sea off Kalpitiya had been a tourist attraction for a long time.

Sewwandi Jayakodi, Senior Lecturer at the Livestock and Fisheries Resources Faculty of the North Western University, said increasing oceanic temperature and human activities had resulted in this sad state.

While inspecting the Kalpitiya Marine Sanctuary, Ms. Jayakodi pointed out that the largest and most attractive coral reefs in the Kalpitiya sanctuary would soon be a thing of the past.

The sanctuary with two coral reefs had been declared open on April 3, 1992 under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance. The two coral reefs of about 306.7 hectares in extent are located some 12 nautical miles off the Kudawa beach. However, they have been endangered with extinction due to rising oceanic temperature and the use of prohibited fishing gear including purse seine nets and dynamites.

Meanwhile, Environment Ministry Secretary Udaya R. Seneviratne said more than 90 per cent of the two coral reefs were in ruins, and that it was a matter of serious concern. He said an effective mechanism to protect the endangered coral reefs would be implemented forthwith.

Anuradhapura District Secretary R.M. Wanninayake, Kalpitiya Divisional Secretary Chaturaka Jayasinghe, Environment Ministry Asst. Secretary Dulip Somiratne, Kalpitiya Wildlife Range Conservator M.M.K. Morathenna and Asst. Elections Commissioner in Anuradhapura Saman Bandusena joined in the inspection.