Hikkaduwa National Park

The Hikkaduwa national park, near the town of Hikkaduwa in the Southern Province, Sri Lanka, is a marine park, with beautiful marine life. This zone is a shallow reef, 16 feet deep and 4 km long. The place was established as a wildlife reserve in 1979 and later upgraded to a nature reserve in the year 1988. In September 2012, it was listed as a national park.

The lake is rich in fauna. It includes 60 species of coral and 170 species of swimming fish. Corals include Staghorn, Elkhorn, cabbage, brain, table and collar star and species of the families Montipora, Faviidae and Poritidae. The reef is home to Dugongs, sea turtles and many rare creatures such as lobsters, crabs, lobsters, oysters, and worms. Apart from these, there are also underwater marine plants.

The area is known to offer many activities, such as lagoon tours, lagoon safaris, canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. The most popular place on the beach, Kalla Bongo offers kayaks on a rental basis. Among the most popular activities here are swimming and diving. The area receives rainfall of up to 2000 millimeters in the months of May-July and October-January. In this period, many activities are destroyed. Therefore, it is not recommended to visit Hikkaduwa national park during these months. The average temperature of the area is between 28°C to 30°C throughout the year.

Coral species of Hikkaduwa

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)

The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branched, stony rock with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimeters to more than two meters in length and height. Occurs in back-reef and fore-reef environments from 0 to 30 m (0 to 98 ft) deep. The upper limit is defined by the waves, and the lower limit is controlled by the soil moisture and the light space. The fore-reef zones at depths of 5–25 m (16–82 ft) were previously dominated by many single-rooted corals until the mid-1980s. This coral shows the fastest growth of all corals in the western Atlantic, with branches growing to 10-20 cm (3.9-7.9 in) per year. This is one of the most important corals of the Caribbean in terms of its contribution to the growth of reefs and fishing grounds.

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) is an important reef-building coral in the Caribbean. The species has a complex structure with many branches like elk ants; hence, the common name. The branching structure creates habitats and shelters for many other species of fish. Elkhorn corals are known to grow rapidly with a growth rate of 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) per year. Asexual and asexual reproduction are possible, although asexual reproduction is more common and occurs through a process called fragmentation.

Although Elkhorn coral dominated the Caribbean in the early 1980s, the species has since declined significantly in numbers. Scientists estimate that between 1980 and 2006, when it was listed in the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the population declined by 97%. This decline has been caused by many factors, including disease, algae growth, climate change, sea level rise, and human activity. In May 2006, the Elkhorn coral was officially listed as threatened by the ESA along with other species in the genus Acropora, Staghorn coral. Some conservation efforts are currently underway to protect the species and increase genetic variation between species.

so called because of their typical spheroid shape and brain-like surface. Each coral head is formed by a cluster of genetically identical polyps that secrete a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate; this makes them important builders like other stony corals in the order Scleractinia. Brain corals are found in warm shallow reefs throughout the world's oceans. They are part of the phylum Cnidaria, in the class called Anthozoa or "flower animals". The life span of giant brain corals is 900 years. Colonies can grow as large as 1.8 m (6 ft) or more in height.

Brain corals

Brain corals extend their fins to catch food at night. During the day, they use their tentacles for protection by wrapping them around the rods on their surface. The top is hard and provides good protection from fish or storms. Branch corals, like stony corals, are fast growing, but more susceptible to storm damage. Like other types of corals, brain corals feed on small mobile animals, and obtain nutrients from the algae that live in them. their bodies. The behavior of one of the most common genera, Favia, is semiaggressive; it will sting other corals with its extended sweeps at night.

Scientists have used brain coral sediments to study methods of giving circular wheels traction.

Location

The national park is located in the wet zone and receives 2,000 millimeters (79 in) of annual rainfall. The rain is found in both the southwest and northeast monsoons, from April to June and September to November. This period is considered the best season to visit the park. The water temperature ranges from 28.0°-30.0°C while the average annual air temperature is 27°C.

Flora and fauna

The Montipora Foliaceous species dominate the reef. Faviidae and Poritidae corals are found in the reef in large colonies. Staghorn, elkhorn, cabbage, brain, table and star corals are all in the reef. There are 60 species of corals of 31 species recorded from the reef. The reef also recorded more than 170 species of 76 species of reef fish.

Sea grasses and algae of the genera Halimeda and Caulerpa are common in seabed depths ranging from 5-10 meters. Some species of shrimp feed on grass. Eight species of ornamental fish also live in the reef, along with many vertebrates and invertebrates including crabs, lobsters, lobsters, oysters and worms. Porites desilveri is a species of farm coral of Sri Lanka.Chlorurus rhakoura and Pomacentrus proteus are two species of fish that are unique to Sri Lanka. The blacktip reef shark is found on the outer edge of the reef. Three sea turtles classified as threatened visit the reef: the hawksbill turtle, the green turtle, and the olive ridley.

Experimental And Professional Marine Cultivation

A few kilometers north of the city of Hikkaduwa lies the Sea Turtle Hatchery and Rescue Centre, a center dedicated to saving some of the endangered species of sea turtles in the world. This is just one of many turtle houses on the south coast of the island. Originally a community project to help protect the biodiversity of the south coast, it has now become a full-fledged breeding and rescue center with a dedicated team working around the clock to research, care for and protect the many the turtle species.

Conservation Efforts

Currently, there are five species of turtles being cared for in the breeding and rescue center. These types of turtles are the Olive Ridley Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, and Green Turtle. The hatchery and rescue areas are all modernized, all tanks are filled to keep the hatchlings, along with the turtles. elderly rescued from the sea due to injuries. One of the strangest sights in the center is where the turtles lay their eggs, because they have separate piles of sand that are well stacked between each other. Each collection is carefully monitored for turtle egg production.

Hikkaduwa Feeding

Since the 1960s, the beach town of Hikkaduwa has become a major tourist destination, mainly because of the beauty of Hikkaduwa Beach. Known for its palm trees and beautiful waters, the beach is perfect for any traveler looking for entertainment, leisure, rest, and relaxation. Many water sports tempt the adrenaline rush of snorkeling, diving, surfing, and much more. If you're looking for a more low-key vacation, the beach is perfect for the whole family to have a picnic, enjoy its waters, or play a little beach volleyball. Hikkaduwa Beach is an endless adventure.

A Wonderful Environment

In addition to the beautiful beach, there are many restaurants, great spas and special places that allow you to get the best of Sri Lankan hospitality. Explore the famous reef today on a snorkeling tour and try some traditional Sri Lankan food like Isso Wadey (like calamari fried). When the sun goes down, join the nightlife on the beach. Hikkaduwa Beach is a haven for the leisure explorer and the perfect place to engage in some fun activities, whether you are a solo traveler or a family traveler.

Intimidation

The reef has suffered greatly due to nature and human activities. Living corals declined from 47 percent to 13 percent in a coral bleaching event in 1998, triggered by the 1998 El Niño. It is recommended that at least 30-40 percent of coral reefs must be restored in order to recover. able to take care of himself. Although listed as a protected area, the reef continues to be exploited including the removal of ornamental fish for the commercial market.

Tsunami fight day

Two Sri Lankan marine parks, Hikkaduwa and Pigeon Island, received some direct impact from the Boxing Day tsunami. was made to clear the beach of debris, including two large fishing nets attached to the outer edge of the reef.