Kalpitiya Bar Reef recovers
The coral gardens of Kalpitiya, known as the Bar Reef, that had suffered from bleaching, has been revived thanks to those who care, wildlife officials say.
“No doubt, this will be good news for locals as well as foreign tourists,’’ said Wildlife Department officer Manjula Kumara Morathenna.
The beautiful sandy sanctuary known to locals as the ‘Bar Paraya’ that also attracted visitors to the Kalpitiya peninsula had perished from natural causes and human destruction.
The coral reef of 307 square kilometres to the west of Uchchimuna islet in the Kalpitiya peninsula, was declared a marine sanctuary according to the Gazette No . 708/ 24- 992 by the Wild Life Conservation Department in 1992.
It is unique in its bio-diversity with 156 species of coral and 283 species of fish peculiar to its environs, according to the UNDP.
The Wild Life Department assisted by the navy unit of SLNS Vijaya in Kalpitiya launched a project to revive it.
Concrete supports were fixed on the sea bed and corals were attached to them.
Now after two years, senior security officer, Mr Kumara says, the corals are recovering and growing well.
The work was funded through the Environmental Awareness Zonal Conservation Department Project while Ocean and Biology Scientist Prasanna Weerakkody has provided technical know how.
Community efforts have gained the support of UNDP, Ministry o f Mahawe l i Development & Environment, Department of Wild Life Conservation, the Sri Lanka
Navy, ORCA, IUCN academia and other organisations to restore the national treasure.