Biodiversity, Historic Importance and Threats of Garanduwa Lagoon Situated in Mirissa Tourist Zone A Case Study

Out of 89 lagoons, Garanduwa is the only lagoon located nearly 3 km away from the sea thatcomes under atoll lagoon. The extent is approximately 65 km2. It is located in associationwith unexplored southern coast and belongs to five Gramaseva divisions; Udupila,Thanhagoda, Garanduwa, Henwala, and Thalaramba in Matara district. It is intermittentlyconnected to ocean by two restricted inlets; Mirissa, Udupila and Thalaramba. A case studywas conducted to investigate the biodiversity, historic background and the threats inassociation with the tourist industry. A reconnaissance survey was carried out in the morningand evening by a catamaran boat to identify fauna and flora. Thirty five villages wereinterviewed by a questionnaire to gather information on the history and prevailing threats.Garanduwa lagoon hosts rich assemblages of different species. Variation of muddy and sandysediments is home to a rich biodiversity. Different variety of trees, many insects, reptiles,amphibians, birds, mammals thrive in the habitat. More than 20 bird species were recorded.Wooly-necked storks, Indian pond heron, Ceylon blue magpies, common babler, Ceylon hillmynah, crimpson backed wood peckers, little egret, larger egret, spot billed pelican, Ceylongreen pigeon, purple coot, black robin, Southern common babler, scimitors, paradise flycatchers, orioles, chaffinchs and bats were prominent. Breadfruit and its wild species, Kirala,Kadol, Jak fruit, Cashew nut, Hog plum, Grosse sapota, Kekuna, Bael fruit were theprominent tree species. Variety of crab species were found among the roots, on the trunks andwithin the canopy. The name “Garanduwa” derived from a Sanscrit term because of thepresence of many crocodiles in the past. At present crocodiles became extinct. Ancient princenamed “Keerthi” (10th century), later became as the King 1 Wijayabahu built his palace in theisland within the lagoon. The king was adorned with the sword to the battle against Solli atthe palace was called as “Siribandala Palace” and still the ruins are remaining. Because o fclose proximity to many tourist hotels, there is a potential to build tourist hotels bydestructing the nature and will be a potential site for sewage accumulation. Therefore, it istimely important to save this wetland for a sustainable utilization and thereby encourage ecotourism.Keywords: Atoll lagoon, Biodiversity, Garanduwa, History, Threat

Biodiversity, Historic Importance and Threats of Garanduwa Lagoon Situated in Mirissa Tourist Zone A Case Study

Out of 89 lagoons, Garanduwa is the only lagoon located nearly 3 km away from the sea thatcomes under atoll lagoon. The extent is approximately 65 km2. It is located in associationwith unexplored southern coast and belongs to five Gramaseva divisions; Udupila,Thanhagoda, Garanduwa, Henwala, and Thalaramba in Matara district. It is intermittentlyconnected to ocean by two restricted inlets; Mirissa, Udupila and Thalaramba. A case studywas conducted to investigate the biodiversity, historic background and the threats inassociation with the tourist industry. A reconnaissance survey was carried out in the morningand evening by a catamaran boat to identify fauna and flora. Thirty five villages wereinterviewed by a questionnaire to gather information on the history and prevailing threats.Garanduwa lagoon hosts rich assemblages of different species. Variation of muddy and sandysediments is home to a rich biodiversity. Different variety of trees, many insects, reptiles,amphibians, birds, mammals thrive in the habitat. More than 20 bird species were recorded.Wooly-necked storks, Indian pond heron, Ceylon blue magpies, common babler, Ceylon hillmynah, crimpson backed wood peckers, little egret, larger egret, spot billed pelican, Ceylongreen pigeon, purple coot, black robin, Southern common babler, scimitors, paradise flycatchers, orioles, chaffinchs and bats were prominent. Breadfruit and its wild species, Kirala,Kadol, Jak fruit, Cashew nut, Hog plum, Grosse sapota, Kekuna, Bael fruit were theprominent tree species. Variety of crab species were found among the roots, on the trunks andwithin the canopy. The name “Garanduwa” derived from a Sanscrit term because of thepresence of many crocodiles in the past. At present crocodiles became extinct. Ancient princenamed “Keerthi” (10th century), later became as the King 1 Wijayabahu built his palace in theisland within the lagoon. The king was adorned with the sword to the battle against Solli atthe palace was called as “Siribandala Palace” and still the ruins are remaining. Because o fclose proximity to many tourist hotels, there is a potential to build tourist hotels bydestructing the nature and will be a potential site for sewage accumulation. Therefore, it istimely important to save this wetland for a sustainable utilization and thereby encourage ecotourism.Keywords: Atoll lagoon, Biodiversity, Garanduwa, History, Threat