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Wanton destruction of Hikkaduwa’s coral reef
View(s):The Hikkaduwa Coral Reef, the country’s first and only National Marine Park is considered to be among the richest in marine life the world over.
Story and pix by Gamini Mahadura
Marine environmentalists say they have recently noted a racket involving local tourist guides who break pieces off the coral reefs and sell them to foreign tourists in a bid to attract marine species has begun luring many tourists.
The racket is posing a threat to the rich marine diversity in the Hikkaduwa area they say.
The trend among local tourist guides is break off parts the coral reef and sell it at exorbitant rates to foreign tourists in a bid to attract a variety marine species when put in water.
Broken parts of reefs are sold for between Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 a piece.
Out of 180 different species of marine coral reefs found in Sri Lanka, more than 170 of them are identified as being unique species.
Caught in the act, a tourist guide with a piece of broken coral
Little realising the damage her action causes a tourist tries to attract marine species
The Hikkaduwa Coral Reef is considered one of the world’s richest in marine life