Eco Tourism in Srilanka

Climate & Ecosystems 

Sri Lanka’s diverse climate and similarly-varied geography have resulted in a rich biodiversity contained within a wide range of ecosystems. Sri Lanka has two basic Eco-zones, a result of the central mountains that intercession the monsoonal winds: a wet zone in the south-western quarter and a dry zone in the rain shadow in the remaining area. Since these demarcations are not preciseness, there is an intermediate zone, too. Minor areas to the north-west and the south-east, which escapade the full force of the monsoons, have an almost arid climate.

Among the terrestrial ecosystems are forests varying from wet evergreen forests (both lowland and montage) to dry thorn forests, grasslands, and a complexion network of rivers, wetlands and fresh water-bodies. These, together with the coastal and marine Eco-systems – estuaries and lagoons and associated mangrove swam spans, constitute the country’s extraordinary natural environment

In addition, there are numerous man-made ecosystems related to agriculture and irrigation which have a direct bearing on conservation, sustenance and survival of biological resources

Eco-tourism & Nature Tourism

Eco tourism

Some define “Eco tourism” simply as tourism focused on the natural environment. Some think Eco-tourism consists of travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and small scale. Others say it requires local community engagement.  Amazingly, “Eco tourism” was first used in print as late as 1982, in the title of a UN booklet, Ecological Tourism (Eco tourism). It’s defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as “Tourism to areas of ecological interest (typically exotic and often threatened natural environments), esp. to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife; spec. access to an endangered environment controlled so as to have the least possible adverse effect.”Eco tourism has been known by other names: alternative tourism, sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, volun-tourism, among others. Definitions and criteria vary widely. Eco tourism and alternative tourism are umbrella expressions, although alternative tourism does not necessarily prize responsibility, just the move away from purely recreational mass tourism, whereas Eco tourism does not exclude mass tourism. Sustainable tourism is more specific, focusing on economically, socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable tourist activities. No impact should be permanent or irreversible. Sustainable tourism has been recognized by some United Nations agencies as an effective economic tool for, and measure of, sustainable growth – especially in the world’s poorer countries. Community-based tourism necessarily implies the participation of local communities as the planners, managers and primary beneficiaries of sustainable tourism enterprises that support, dignity and respect local culture and resources. Volun-tourism is a relatively new concept that sees visitors volunteering with local organizations, making sure that they give back as much as they can to the land offering them temporary hospitality.

Nature tourism 

Nature tourism, on the other hand, is often defined as visiting a natural site such as a coral reef, rain forest, or wet land to enjoy its natural beauty. It denotes tourism dependent on natural resources. This does not include conventional beach tourism. Importantly, the definition of nature tourism is broader than that of Eco tourism, which requires that travel is in an environmentally friendly fashion. Some nature tourism concerns viewing fauna and flora, or participating in adventure sports activities in which enjoyment of natural beauty is combined with physical exercise and general exhilaration. 

 

Fauna & Flora Diversity 

Despite its relatively moderate size, Sri Lanka possesses a high level of biodiversity due to the prevailing varied climatic and topographic conditions. A remarkable feature of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is the high proportion of endemic species among its flora and fauna. For instance, 23% of the 3,368 flowering plants and 16% of the island’s 91 mammals are endemic. But then 18 species of mayfly are 100% endemic!

The inland water supports a rich invertebrate fauna. There are some 140 species of rotifera (microscopic aquatic animals), 60 species of decapods (prawns and crabs), and 31 species of freshwater molluscs (12 endemic). The marine invertebrate fauna are even more diverse, with Sri Lanka having over 180 species of coral belonging to 68 genera and over 200 species of crab. 

Wildlife Parks

There are many National Parks you can visit in Sri Lanka. Yala is the largest national park. The National Parks of Sri Lanka are managed by the department of Wild Life and Conservation. National Parks are bit different from Wild Life sanctuaries which allow free movements. You need to obtain permission and a guide provided by the park. You are not supposed to get out from the vehicle under any circumstances. You need drive a 4 WD vehicle and stay only in specified roads.

• Visiting hours: 6.30am to 6.30pm
• Period from 12.00 noon of the starting day to 11.00am the following day counts as one night. Contact Department of Wildlife 

General Park Ethics

• National parks are home to animals and you are a fleeting visitor
• Guides, obligatory on all excursions within a park, are available at the entrance
• Keep a good distance between vehicles. Allow the animals time to settle down and get used to the presence of vehicle.
• Animals have the right of way. Stop your vehicle if an animal is crossing the road. In addition, it provides a good opportunity to observe the animals
• Most animals have a keen sense of hearing and alien sounds startle them. Do not sound the vehicle’s horn or talk loudly
• Avoid feeding the animals since they are capable of finding their own food.
• A forest has its own particular sounds. When in a forest, why listen to other sounds? Do not bring audio equipment
• Keep strictly to the tracks inside the parks. During travel always remain in your vehicle. In any case, walking is not allowed
• Do not use flash photography. Sudden blinding light alarms the animals
• While on excursions, avoid smoking. Forests are vulnerable to fire, especially
• Notice how wonderfully the animals are camouflaged. You too should blend in with the surroundings. Avoid wearing colors that jar on the eye: earthy colors such as brown and green are ideal
• Do not throw litter, cigarette butts or live matches around the park
• Keep a safe distance from the animals. Respect their privacy and you will be rewarded with hours of undisturbed viewing
• Do not collect or destroy wild flowers and plants available in the park
• Do not bring plants and pets (especially dogs and cats) to the park
• Do not bathe or emit wastes into the natural water bodies

Must see things in Srilanka

While it will be impossible to see everything Sri Lanka has to offer in a single trip, given below is a selection of the country’s highlights: outstanding religious and cultural sites, memorable scenery and wildlife, and spectacular festivals.

Adam’s Peak
One of Sri Lanka’s foremost pilgrimage sites, this soaring summit bears the revered impression of what is said to be the Buddha’s own footprint and offers the island’s most magical and enigmatic views. 
 
Ayurveda
Sri Lanka’s ancient system of holistic health care uses herbal medicines and a range of traditional techniques, from gentle massages and steam baths to blood-letting treatments with leeches and fire.

Anuradhapura
From immense dagobas to mysterious forest monasteries, this vast ruined city bears witness to the great Sinhalese civilization which flourished for almost 2000 years.

Bentota
The pleasantly unspoiled southern end of Bentota beach is home to the island’s finest select of luxury beach side hotels.

Birds
Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s classic bird watching destinations, with species ranging from delicate bee eaters and colorful kingfishers to majestic water birds and strutting peacocks. 
 
Cricket
Join the crowds of cricket-crazy spectators for a test match in Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla or Galle.

Ella 
Sri Lanka’s most beautiful village, offers verdant walks amongst the surrounding tea plantations and a marvelous view through the Ella Gap to the plains below. 
 
Gangarama Temple (Colombo)
The Gangaramaya Temple is a place of worship and learning. Featuring a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagoda) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Simamalaka and the Relic Chamber, it also has a museum, a library, residential hall, a three-storied Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall. Since 1890, it contributed greatly to the traditions of Viharas and Pirivenas.

Galle
Sri Lanka’s most perfectly preserved colonial town scape with sedate streets of personable Dutch villas enclosed by a chain of imposing ramparts.
 
Kandy
Beautifully situated amidst the central highlands, the historic city remains the island’s most important repository of Sinhalese culture, illustrated by the Esela Perahera festival and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. 
 
Kandy Esala Perahera
One of Asia’s most spectacular festivals, the Perahera parades magnificently caparisoned elephants accompanied by ear-splitting troupes of Kandy-an drummers and assorted dancers and acrobats.

Kandy-an dancing and drumming
Observe traditional Sinhalese culture at its most exuberant, with brilliantly costumed dancers performing limb-twisting feats of acrobatic dancing. The dancers are accompanied by energetic drumming.

Kataragama
Join the crowds thronging to the colorful nightly temple ceremonies at this remote pilgrimage town, held sacred by Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. 
 
National Museum, Colombo
Established in 1877, the National Museum is the oldest and largest Museum in the country. Housed in a fine colonial-era building, the museum is famous for its collection of ancient royal regalia, Sinhalese artwork (carvings, sculptures et al.), antique furniture, china, and Ola manuscripts. The museum contains: more than 4.000 palm leaf manuscripts; ancient and medieval jewelery; rare collection of traditional masks; wood and ivory carvings; temple frescoes; ceramics objects including VOC plates of the Dutch period; stone sculpture and lithic inscriptions.

Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage
One of the island’s most popular attractions, Pinnewala is home to the world’s large troupe of captive elephants, from dignified elderly matriarchs to the cutest of babies.
 
Pettah
Colombo’s colorful and chaotic bazaar district offers an exhilarating slice of Asian life, crammed with markets selling a bewildering assortment of merchandise from cheap saris to sackfuls of chillies.

Polonnaruwa
Home to the island’s finest collection of ancient Sinhalese art and architecture, from the giant Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara to the remarkable religious buildings of the Quadrangle.

Rice and Curry
Eat your way through the classic Sri Lankan feast with its mouth-watering selection of contrasting dishes and flavors. 
 
Sigiriya
Sri Lanka’s most remarkable sight, this towering rock outcrop is home to the fascinating remains of one of the island’s former capitals, complete with ancient graffiti, elaborate water gardens, a giant lion statue and perfectly preserved frescoes of voluptuous heavenly nymphs.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja is Sri Lanka's last existing tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the forest is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.

World’s End
Marking the point at which the hill country’s southern escarpment plunges sheet for almost a kilometer to the plains below, the dramatic cliff offers one of the finest of the hill country’s many unforgettable views.

Whales and wildlife
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales in their natural habitat. Sperm whales, killer whales, pilot whales and dolphins are also regularly spotted on whale watching trips organized from Mirissa on the south coast. Since the continental shelf is at its narrowest close to Dondra Head, Sri Lanka’s southernmost point, the deep water provides ideal feeding ground for migrating whales from November to April.

Elephants may be the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife, but they represent just one actor on a crowded ecological stage. For instance, this is one of the best places in the world to see the elusive leopard, and one of the only places where this big cat is top predator – the king of the Sri Lankan jungle. With striking markings, a sleek, powerful body, and graceful movements, the leopard is thrilling to observe. For more information on wildlife

Yala National Park
Sri Lanka’s most popular and rewarding national park is home to birds, monkeys, crocodiles and elephants, as well as the island’s largest population of leopards.