Crocodile Farm at Muturajawela soon?
By Pabodha Hettige
The Department of Wildlife is planning to open a park for crocodiles inside Muturajawela sanctuary, located just south of Negombo. The Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 6,000 hectares, inclusive of the Negombo Lagoon.
"The park will be declared open in the near future mainly to promote eco-tourism and for conservation purposes. We hope to attract a lot of tourists since the park will be close to the capital," Director General, Department of Wildlife, Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja said.
Authorities have planned to capture crocodiles from rivers like the Gin and Nilwala and release them into the park. Through this initiative the wildlife authorities are planning to minimize the threats crocodiles pose to humans. The authorities are also planning to breed crocodiles to conserve their population.
"Once the park is established we hope to launch a boat service through the Dandugam Oya, so the visitors will be able to get a closer look at the crocodiles. Watch towers will also be erected," Pathiraja said.
He said that the project was still being discussed and the cost and the space to be allocated would be finalized shortly.
The Department of Wildlife has also taken measures to construct a road connecting the Yala and Kumana National Parks
Pathiraja said that one of the major reasons for the road construction is to reduce the congestion in Zone one of the Yala National Park.Construction will commence shortly.
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