The Muthurajawela Wetlands Centre, nestled along the historic Hamilton Canal near the Negombo Lagoon, is a haven for biodiversity and a testament to the region’s rich natural history.
The Muthurajawela Wetlands Centre, nestled along the historic Hamilton Canal near the Negombo Lagoon, is a haven for biodiversity and a testament to the region’s rich natural history.
This vital ecosystem, Sri Lanka’s largest saline coastal peat bog, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and a testament to the island’s rich natural heritage.
The history of the area is intertwined with the Hamilton Canal, also known as the Old Dutch Canal that stretches for 14.5km from the Kelaniya River mouth just north of Colombo, to the Negombo Lagoon. The canal is thought to have been built during the reign of King Parakramabahu VIII in the 15th century, and then later excavated by the Dutch in the 16th century to transport valuable spices (mainly cinnamon) from outlying villages to the ports on the west coast. In 1802, the British named the canal after Garvin Hamilton, a British Agent, and extended it north for another 9km from Negombo to the Gin Oya, and from there, via a series of meandering backwaters, rivers, and lagoons into Puttalam, where it empties into the Indian Ocean.
Much of the original transport route survives to the present day. Numerous bridges span the brackish Hamilton Canal whose banks are dotted with the homes of local fishermen. Narrow roads, which buffalo would have once used to haul the boats upriver, still flank the canal’s eastern banks. The canal is still utilised by local fisher folk to reach the vast Negombo Lagoon to the north.
Spanning over 7,580 acres, the Muthurajawela Wetlands are Sri Lanka’s largest saline coastal bog. The entire stretch of waterway is now a protected wildlife reserve; however, it is the only one in Sri Lanka where fishermen are still allowed to fish in a section of the waters. Muthurajawela, meaning “Field of Royal Treasure”, truly lives up to its name, harbouring a remarkable array of flora and fauna. The wetlands are home to 192 distinct species of flora and 209 distinct species of fauna, with a significant number being indigenous or nationally endangered.
The diverse habitats within the wetland, including mangroves, grasslands, and marshes, support this rich biodiversity. A boat ride along the wetlands is a peaceful and relaxing way to spend your morning or afternoon and is also a popular bird watching destination. The boat takes you up the canal into the Negombo lagoon and wetlands, where it winds through avenues of mangroves and lush islands. Macaques (the only monkey species in Sri Lanka able to swim) live in the trees, water monitors scale the surface of the water like crocodiles and Birdwatching is a major draw, with over 100 species recorded. Commonly found birds include vibrant kingfishers, jet-black cormorants, kites, majestic herons and terns all of whom dive in and out of the water to feed. The lagoon itself is a vital breeding ground for prawns and mud crabs. The lagoon itself is a breeding ground for large prawns and mud crabs which live on the mangrove beds. There is a quaint little church at the mouth of the lagoon with an interesting history.
The Muthurajawela Wetlands Centre plays a crucial role in promoting ecotourism and raising awareness about the importance of preserving this unique and vulnerable ecosystem, which faces threats from urban development and pollution. A visit here offers a chance to connect with nature and witness the delicate balance of a thriving wetland environment.
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