Kirala Kelle Wetlands - Sri Lanka

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Matara District Sri Lanka

Kirila Kelle Wetlands are found a short distance inland from the southern Sri Lankan coastal city of Matara. The wetlands are a part of the Nilwala River basin[1]. They comprise some 750 acres of wetlands surrounded by some 6000 acres of farmland. Due to land and water management problems this area has lost most of its farmable land. This reduction in historically arable land has resulted in widespread poverty and associated social and environmental problems for some 35,000 people.[citation needed] The Kirila Kelle Wetlands are the focus for a sustainable Environmental Conservation Community Development program. This is being developed through Ecotourism and community development, by way of a provincial integrated development strategy, that is managed and implemented by the community for the community.

Flora and Fauna

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Biodiversity

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Sri Lanka has been identified as one of 34 biodiversity hot spots in the world by the environment activist group Conservation International.[2] Kirila Kelle Wetlands has had the following fuana numbers identified: forty eight bird species with ten migrant species;twenty fish species with three endemic; and thirteen rare butterfly species.[3]

Wetlands Conservation

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The Kirila Kelle Wetlands are the focus of The Kirila Kelle Wetlands Conservation Project. This Community Based Ecotourism Project is focussed on saving the wetland and providing support to the local community.

References

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  1. ^ "River Nilwala". Matara City. 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
  2. ^ "Biological Hotspots". Conservation International. 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  3. ^ "Sustainable Management of Kirala Kalle; an unique wetland ecosystem in Southern Sri Lanka". Waradana Nilantha De Silva. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
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Kirila Kelle Matara
Sri Lankan Wetlands Database
Department of Wildlife Conservation Sri Lanka
Ministry of Environment Sri lanka
Sri Lanka Tourist Development Agency
River Nilwala
Matara City