The region surrounding Bentota in Sri Lanka contains some of the most scenic beaches on the island, and perhaps in the world. The pristine white-sand and the beautiful tropical background make these beaches a haven for tourists looking for some ‘beach-therapy’. Unfortunately the popularity of the beaches has led to there being a very adverse effect on the magnificent species of sea-turtle that come to shore. Luckily for these creatures, Dudley Perera and his family are providing them with a safe environment to reproduce and hatch their eggs by way of the Sea Turtle Conservation Project.
When it comes down to things to do in Kalutara, the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Project is a place that is a ‘must visit’ on any excursion from this South Coast locale. Given the town’s ideal coastal location, there is no shortage of accommodation options such as the Mermaid Hotel & Club.
The project was set up in 1988, with the goal of monitoring sea turtle activity and preserving their local nesting sites, while also doing their best to boost public awareness in the severity of the situation faced by these noble creatures. The project’s most important element is the hatchery, where eggs are rescued and placed in an environment where they hatch away from the dangers of the areas many predators.
Once the eggs are hatched, each hatchling is retained for a small period of time in order to give them a head start before setting them off to face the elements of the wild. This is crucial to their survival since the creatures are very vulnerable during their infancy, with very few of them ever reaching adulthood. The project is funded heavily through grants and donations, and each year this initiative goes a long way in creating a positive change in the lives of the remaining sea-turtles.
So if you ever find yourself in Sri Lanka, witness a place like no other, by taking a trip to see the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.