Maduganga River in Balapitiya
Sri Lanka, Balapitiya

The Maduganga River flows on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, in the Balapitiya region of Galle County. In the west, the river flows into the Indian Ocean, and in the east into Lake Maduganga Lake. The estuaries and mangrove islands on the river represent a complex coastal wetland ecosystem and are home to 248 species of vertebrate animals and 303 species of plants. This is one of the last remaining sections of virgin mangroves in Sri Lanka. In 2003, the wetlands of the Madu River were declared a nature reserve under the Ramsar Convention. There are 66 islands along the length of the Madu River. Traveling on this river is striking in its natural primeval. Making your way through the huge thickets of giant vines, you can observe the life and behavior of some species of animals, see many iguanas, monkeys, birds, as well as parrots, surprising the diversity and diversity of their color. On one of the islands is the Buddhist temple of Kotduva. In 1803, the Amarapura-Nikaya Buddhist sect held its first boat initiation ceremony while sailing along the river. On other islands of the river, residents grow cinnamon. Cinnamon gardens were actually the first plantations on the island of Sri Lanka. The collection of cinnamon tree bark lasted several months and was a difficult and dangerous task - cinnamon pickers with a sharp knife cut branches and removed bark from them. The dried bark coiled into tubes, it was tied in bales and taken to port cities. Then part of this bark was processed into cinnamon powder, widely used in the confectionery industry, and cinnamon oil, which helps with toothaches. The production of refined cinnamon and cinnamon oil has been preserved to this day. In addition, local residents are engaged in shrimp farming and fish farming on the Maduganga River. Traveling along the river is a touch of tradition and penetration into the mysterious world of wild tropical nature.

Tourist Objects nearby
Turtle Conservation Research Center Turtle Farm in Kosgoda
Turtle Conservation Research Center Turtle Farm in Kosgoda
Muda Duva Fish Farm on the Maduganga River in Balapitiya
Muda Duva Fish Farm on the Maduganga River in Balapitiya
Captain Deck Boat Station in Balapitiya
Captain Deck Boat Station in Balapitiya