A Marine wetland of Natural origin located in the Semi-arid Zone of the Southern province. Hikkaduwa is Sri Lanka ?s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) and encompasses a coastline of approximately 1.35 km between the southern breakwater of the Hikkaduwa fisheries harbour and rocky islets near the Coral Gardens Hotel. The fringing reef at Hikkaduwa is a typical representation of shallow fringing reef systems along the southern coast of Sri Lanka . The reef is relatively small but contains high biodiversity and has been of conservation interest since the 1960?s due to its location in the vicinity of one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka . It was declared as a sanctuary in 1979 and later a National Park in 2002. At present the reef is highly degraded due to both natural and anthropogenic impacts. The Hikkaduwa reef has a shallow reef crest enclosing a shallow reef lagoon on the leeward side. The lagoon has a depth of 0.5-1.5m and is dominated by stands of live and dead coral interspaced by sand. The seaward side of the reef crest has an outer reef slope composed primarily of limestone and some live coral. The Hikkaduwa Ganga and several small canals open out to the sea near the reef. Sediment transport along the coastline is predominantly northwards. Hikkaduwa is located in the south western wet zone and receives an annual rainfall of over 2000 mm. Mean average temperature is around 270 C. The area is influenced by the southwest monsoon, which results in rough seas and strong winds and currents from May to October. This also increases the turbidity of the water, both due to freshwater input and re-suspension of bottom sediments.

Hikkaduwa National Park Related references