Sri Lanka is a paradise for wildlife lovers. There are twenty-two national parks and hundred areas of protected lands in the country, which cover nearly 15% of its total island area. History of nature preservation dated back to 3th century BC when King Devananpiya set up the first wildlife reserve. Net works of the reserves and parks were built up before and during colonial times. Protected sites include wide variety of terrains, mountainous grasslands and coastal wetlands, are rich in flora and fauna, and diverse wildlife. Abundant of mammals like Elephants, Leopards, Sambar Deer, Water Buffalo, Giant Squirrel and thousand species of birds are found in its evergreen forested scrub, grassland and woodland areas. Places where fresh river water and sea water meet, provide homes to many aquatic and marine life like turtle, crocodile and shore birds.
Painted storks at Bundala Wetland are believed to be migrant shorebirds from North India. The wetland is a winter home and breeding place for many other shore birds that journey from North India and Siberia.
The most regular visitors are flamingo who flies here in huge flocks and usually hundreds in number.
The coastal wetland of Bundala National Park is famous for its abundant aquatic bird life. It is one of the foremost destinations in the nation for bird watchers. The lagoons are home to nearly 200 species of birds like pelican, herons, spoonbills and ducks.
Bundala Park bordering with A2 main road, stretches along the coast for about 20km. It encloses five shallow lagoons separated by thick low scrubby forest, which are excellent spot for shore bird enthusiasts.
The wetland sanctuary is an important reserve in Bundala Park.
The dotted little islands make an attractive sight with calm water.
An aged residential elephant roaming out for food at the shore.
Scrub Jungles are home to herds of elephants. Some are the permanent residents but some are the migratory herds that roam around the area
The flourish NA tree that Government of Sri lanka declared as national tree in year 1986. Botanically it is named as Mesua Ferrrea but commonly known as Iron Wood. Due to its hardness and durability, its timber was used to make bridges in the past but now all NA trees are to be preserved as it was said that during the first visit to Sri Lanka, Lord Buddha sat and meditated under a NA tree in Miyanganaya. The trees are originally grown around the lower wet zone of Sri Lanka and is able to grow up as tall as 30 meters. The leaves are bright red before matured into deep green. Flowers are used in herbal medicine, making perfumes, cosmetic and soap.
Along the way : a beautiful lotus pond .
Along the way : Vast Rice field
Along the way: Farm of vegetation.
Getting yogurt to prepare for Dana from a local stall. Bhante said give the locals business is a way to assist them in their hard living.
These yogurt are home made and fermented from buffalo milk.
Life is simple in villages. Things used are environmental friendly. Palm leaves are used to build houses and metal weighs are used to do business.
Vegetables offered are either planted by seller himself or from small farmers.
Bhante said he used to get food back to Temple from all these poor villagers, not due to the low prices or nice stuff. He just wanted to help them to survive and earn a living through their own hard work. This is compassion!
Sweet and tasty coconut !
The coconut and banana are ripen on trees, which we may not able to obtain in the city nowadays. Many of the fruits are picked when still green but ripen with chemicals and preserved with artificial agents.
Have you ever encountered such vegetation? It looks like a mini version bitter gourd but according to Bhante, it is sweet and nutritious too, after stewed into a marsh to eat with rice.
Locally produced nuts, seeds and spice.
The eggplant and lime.
Mango is a common fruit but what about this the ugly one? They called it wood apples which are very good for constipation. It is usually blended into smoothie. It tasted like tamarind, sour and funny.
All Sri Lankan has beautiful and attractive eyes like all these kids in the village.
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