Kosgoda, a small town in the southern province of Sri Lanka, has a hidden charm – the turtles and the ongoing fight to preserve this special marine life. As great as the beach towns may be, this is a great chance to brush up on your knowledge of marine creatures and take steps to do your part for Mother Earth, and have some fun doing so.
Kosgoda
The town is the centre of the conservation effort, being the home to the world-famous turtle hatchery, established in the 1980s and is a short distance from Bentota, a larger town that serves as a hub. Visitors get to see several endangered species at the hatchery and are brought up to speed on the release of the lifestyle of these magnificent yet endangered species.
Turtles
The sea turtles in Kosgoda are reptiles that are unfortunately facing difficulties with modernisation, as fishing activities and various predators endanger their way of life. The hatchery runs activities that monitor the levels of these majestic reptiles, as well as volunteer efforts to patrol the beaches for injured or sick turtles. Tourists are also given a guide on the protection and proper practice regarding these.
Conservation Project
Started in 1981 by Dudley Perera, the main aim of the project is to conserve the turtles and protect them from outside threats such as predators – as well as being devoted to proper breeding practices. The project and hatchery also provide services for volunteers to aid them in this regard, such as nightly patrols and activities to help discover any eggs or active hatching sites.
Accommodation
Although it’s a coastal location, there shouldn’t be much in the way of issues when looking to book an Induruwa hotel. Visitors will be somewhat spoiled for choice with the nearby Bentota hotels, providing access to such places as the Villa 700, providing cuisine and easy access to many of the local activities and attractions.