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Nature and Wildlife

Bellanwila Attidiya Bird Sanctuary

බෙල්ලන්විල අත්තිඩිය අභය භූමියh

Western Province

Colombo District

6°50'12.8"N 79°53'26.6"E

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Three hundred and seventy hectares of marsh inside a city, taking industrial waste and still full of birds.

STAND INSIDE IT — 360°

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THE PLACE

This wetland which is 372 hectares in extent is protected as a sanctuary and is under the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Even though industrial wastes are released to the waterways that flow through the marsh, this, once a very rich wetland, still hosts many interesting species of birds. How to get there:- Colombo- Nugegoda- Pepiliyana- drive towards Bellanwila Temple, as you pass the temple, turn to left and after 30 metres turn to right again. This road goes through the marshes. You can also go past the temple for about 200 metres and turn right towards the "Pump House"of the Water Resources Board from where a footpath of about 1/2 km extends into the marsh along the river. BIRDS: Lesser Whistling Teal, Asian Openbill, Purple Heron, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Pallas Grass Hopper Warbler, Ashy- & WhiteBrowedPrinia, White Ibis, Black-Headed Oriole, Purple Coot, Water Cock, Common, Pied, White-Breasted & Stork-Billed Kingfishers, Black Winged Stilt, Spot Billed Pelican, White-Breasted Water Hen, Ruddy Crake etc.
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PROVINCE

Western Province

DISTRICT

Colombo District

DS DIVISION

Kesbewa Divisional Secretariat

GN DIVISION

LOCALITY

FROM COLOMBO

fromColombo

COORDINATES

6°50'12.8"N 79°53'26.6"E

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTES

Colombo → Nugegoda → Pepiliyana, then towards Bellanwila Temple. Past the temple, turn left, then right after 30 m; that road runs through the marsh. Or continue 200 m past the temple and turn right towards the Water Resources Board pump house, where a footpath runs about half a kilometre into the marsh along the river.

- Viran de Silva

ONWARD

Or let the island choose – take me anywhere

UNIQUE SRI LANKA

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SOURCES

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RECORD

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CONTACT

Photographs © Viran de Silva
info@virandesilva.com
uniquesrilanka.com

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