Holiday in close to nature….

Sri Lanka as a country endowed with one of the richest eco systems in the world has much to offer the discerning foreign traveler to the country. Yet, how much of it is he really encouraged in to the enjoying. How much of it is he even aware exists. Instead many a traveler that visit the country departs having only the (heavily polluted) sandy beaches as his/her only memories of Sri Lanka.

With forest coverage of approximately 25% of the total land area of the country Sri Lanka has an abundance of virgin forest, nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries etc., which are home to a variety of flora and fauna, among them a considerable number of endemic species.

Sigiriya

Thousands are presently the travelers’ especially the Western travelers who are keen on feasting their eyes and broadening their vistas on the many wonders of mother nature. How ever such a visitor is provided little, if any encouragement in venturing out to the refuge of the forest. Bearing in mind the treat over visitation may pose to the delicate balance of nature, there is obviously the need for concentration on sustainable eco-tourism.

Through slow in recognizing the international trend towards eco-tourism as compared to its regional competitors, the hotel industry itself seems to have taken a slow but sure first step, towards gradually inviting the concepts to its own ventures.

In keeping with and in appreciation of, the acute need to create this vital balance between the industrial sector and the ecology, a number of local hotels have ventured in to the construction of the buildings to subtly blend with the surroundings with as little harm to the environs as possible.

Sinha-raja Rain Forest

Besides the hotel industry and their localities, other such areas with an ecological significance that holds the promise of promotion within both the foreign and the local traveler are those lesser known reserves such as the Sigiri herbarium, the Muthu-rajawela mangrove sanctuary, Kurulu-kele in Kegalle, Pompakele etc. These sides are aside of their more popular relatives such as the Knuckles reserve in Matale, the Udawalawa, Yala, Sinha-raja, Bundala, Kumana and World’s End wildlife and nature reserves.

Unmonitored, unauthorized and over visitation could only prove a treat to an already decreasing ecosystem in the hands of an interested few in no proper care is taken. The continuation of the natural heritage must be ensured and not necessarily bargained for foreign currency. Hence, the need to strike a careful balance between the industry and nature, and their maintenance and preservation ensured for the future generations to enjoy and treasure..

Horton Plains