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Tourism - beyond sun and sand

Text and pix by Prasad Abu Bakr

Sri Lanka which has flourished as a destination attracting tourists to sun bathe on its beaches is presently facing a crisis owing to the calamities it suffered in the recent past by the tsunami.

Even though there is a looming doubt whether travellers of the West will ever give a second thought in visiting this country other than to bask in the sun, the reality stands stubborn showing that only 25% of the country's Paradise image consists of the golden beaches and the deep blue sea.

Chairman of the Tourism Comittee, Nuwara Eliya, Mahinda Kumara.

The vast heritage that this country reflects upon its history is rarely explained in detail to many visitors because travel agents draft up a 'hurried itinerary' offering more time on the beach for the visitors, because according to them 'that is what they are looking for'.

But events in the past prove that most of those tourists who end up on the beach as a final leg to their package tour go back to explore the nature trail or the cultural triangle in the inland of the country privately utilising the days they are supposed to spend on the beach.

"So much" says Mahinda Kumara, according to him exploring on the lines of ecotourism is a limitless exercise says Kumara who is the chairman of the tourism committee which is currently promoting spots of natural interest in the hills.

Nuwara Eliya town framed by the giant Pidurutalagala mountain range in the backdrop.

The committee which consists of mostly hoteliers of the district and has the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, Chandana Lal Karunaratne as its patron is showing keen interest towards this goal.

Kumara's interest in this direction stands unanimous as his vast knowledge on the subject with 15 years of experience in the related trade. He has been featured regularly in internationally acclaimed travel guide magazines, such as Lonely Planet, Foot Print, Abenteuer Reisen and Globe Trotter on the subject of eco tourism.

'Nuwara Eliya has been always a one night feature amongst tourists right throughout', says Kumara, he emphasises on the fact that nature lovers can spend around 15 days in Nuwara Eliya alone exploring its widely available natural resources.

'The waterfall tour alone is an eye opener to any nature lover with 22 waterfall sites to visit' he states adding that a legendary story is attached to most of them.

He also said that during the peak of the season from October to March these falls are attractively visible as they are gushing with water. Bomburu Ella which is 2 km away from the town is the most patronised.

Unlike in the past the committee is in the process of training guides who can lead conducted tours in the area, which will enable the visitors to have detailed information about the vicinities that they visit.

Horton Planes and its related mountain Kirigalpoththa Sri Lanka's 2nd and 3rd highest mountains for example are to be featured as major attractions based on the variety of flora and fauna, with over 36 varieties of Orchids and 150 bird species which makes up the splendid bird life. A large collection of butterflies can be also found here between November and April.

The camping site here is also being broad-based with a view of encouraging travellers to camp enabling them to wake up to a splendid sun rise while observing the many variety of bird life at an early hour.

The Victoria Park right in the heart of the town is currently being featured as a venue for bird watchers, a visit to the park as early as 6.00 a.m.

According to Mahinda Kumara a variety of 48 bird species has been identified and bird lovers who visit the park early enough can watch most of them in their natural habitat, there are a total of seven bird sanctuaries that are presently promoted by the tourism committee.

The Galways land forest, a 55 acres area is one such rare setting harbouring in the Nuwara Eliya town that is identified and being promoted as a bird sanctuary at present.

Sita Eliya is where the legendary Indian princess Sita Devi was once hidden away from her husband Rama's sight by Ravana. A colourful Hindu kovil stands at the site today patronised largely by Indian tourists. Konda Gala is another venue that is connected to the same love legend, it is believed that it is at this rock site, which affords a spectacular view from its peak, that Rama went into hiding with his beloved.

'Lovers Leap' an active, gushing waterfall is believed to be identified so because many lovers are supposed to have jumped to there deaths from the heights of it as a result of their unfulfilled romances.

Situated in close proximity to the town the spot is visited by people to witness its picturesque view than to rekindle its unfortunately detailed past.

Shanthipuram is another site that most people can enjoy visiting, as it is the only point at a high level that the entire town of Nuwara Eliya can be viewed from. On a clear day Adams Peak too can be seen from here.

A sightseeing tour is also conducted to Randenigala, Rantambe and The Victoria Dam where many elephants cross over at Raja Mawatha to reach wildlife sanctuaries.

At Kothmale the Vivendran kovil is a popular worshipping point of visiting Hindu devotees, the tour also takes one to the historical Pothgul Vihare where it is believed that Prince Dutugemunu hid from his enemies for some time.

The 'Tunnel Tour' is another new attraction that is being formulated for the benefit of visitors. A train ride from Nanu Oya to Haputale spans a tour taking the train through 18 tunnels, some with a kilometer in length.

The other programme that is geared to go into operation in a bigger way than at present is the boating and canoeing at Lake Gregory.

A location has been identified at St. Clares water falls and stretching towards Pundul Oya for white water rafting which is presently done at Kithulgala which is a two hour drive from Nuwara Eliya.

'There is a large response already from Dutch tourists who visit Nuwara Eliya to take part in these programmes' said Mahinda Kumara stating that they are making all efforts to promote these programmes among other visiting tourists.

He feels that eco tourism can be a big draw if promoters and agents educate visitors in this regard. Many tourists are landing on a blind date excursion not knowing what to expect other than the sun and sand that they are so familiar with at sight on posters.

The committee is also planning to grade holiday homes and guest houses in the area that is open for business throughout the year, in order to assure quality service.

Numerous packages are also under planning while different types of holiday plans are being drawn up to attract tourists to patronize the hill station, for example hiking and mountaineering through the highlands will be a new dimension that is being looked at which will be included in the new eco adventure packages that are being designed.

'We can make elaborate plans at promoting ecotourism in these areas where most tourists are invariably brought in by tour operators', said Mahinda Kumara but according to him non of these plans can take off the ground if agents do not make an effort at promoting these activities amongst their clients, which is the only way that inland tourism can end on a positive note.

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