Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Surathali Ella

Surathali Falls is 60m in height, 2m wide and made up of three segments. It is named after a film that was shot in the area. Originating from the Sri Pada Reserve's Ellamana mountain range (948m), the fall is created by the Kadawath River, which flows along Sabaragamuwa Uva and later into the Weli River. It is bordered by an untouched wildlife sanctuary. At the Mahaeliyakande there are certain soil crystals known as Sita Devi Guli, which resemble the rice used to make sweet meat, called Aggala. According to folklore, Sita Devi (Queen Sita) is said to have made sweet meat here and spilled some of it, which is what remains at the site today.Another story has it that two villagers saw gold plates glittering in a cave, while on a jungle trek. They decided to retrieve the treasure and ventured inside the cave but as soon as they were inside, the stone door of the cave shut, barring their exit. They were allowed out only once they had acknowledged that the treasure belonged to King Walagamba.

Map of the area


Monday, August 3, 2009

Climate of the Belihuloya



Climate is one of the major considerable factors in tourism. Because, no outdoor activities like hiking, camping or sightseeing can be done comfortably if an area experiences incessant rainfall or if an area is too hot and arid or experiences winds of strong proportions. However, Pambahinna area lies within the intermediate zone and a narrow band lies between the wet and the dry zones with parameters of rainfall, temperature and winds that are well suited for outdoor recreational activities. This area can be developed for climate treatment and is extremely health – friendly and parallels the health –friendly reputation of the climate in Bandarawela, which is 30 km away from Pambahinna. Moreover, areas in the vicinity of the Belihuloya – Pambahinna area such as Balangoda ,Kalawana, Pelmadulla also have a favorable climate well suited for tourism and outdoor recreational activities.

Rainfall
The annual rainfall in the Belihuloya –Pambahinna area is most similar to that of the dry zone. It will be seen that the area is subject to a minimum rainfall of around 1400 mm per year with a maximum of over 2000 mm per year. The period of June, July and August is generally considered a dry period with rainfall averaging 96 mm per month. The wet period commences in the month of september and peaks in December registering an average rainfall of 267 mm per month. There is a drop in rainfall from January to March (average 144 mm per month) but peaks again during the months of April and May registering an average of 290 mm per month.
An average wind speed of 31 km/h has been recorded during the months of June to september. It checks earth warming, humidity levels and prevents the prevalence of a high air temperature. Although at times winds may appear somewhat gusty it will not impede any recreational activity like hiking, camping or sightseeing. The wind blows in from the north west of the study area. Low humidity and a non-polluted atmosphere with well tolerated temperature levels go to make the air characteristics of this area which is well suited for outdoor activities.

Temperature
The average annual temperature is 26c deg, with a low of 18c deg during the months of December and January. The humidity factor is negligible. Overall, the temperature in the area does not create any discomfort and is well suited foroutdoor recreational activities.

Hirikatuoya


You might have herd the name of Belihul-oya, but not Hirikatu-oya. You might have seen Belihul-oya, but not Hirikatu-oya. You might have visited Belihul-oya, but not Hirikatu-oya. You may love to Belihul-oya, but not Hirikatu-oya. Because you don’t know what is Hirikatu-oya and you have not visited it yet.
Hirikatu-oya also called as Hirigandu-oya, which create a mental picture in your mind for having cold and freezing water. However, once you stepped in to the water, you will not be able make you stop love to that lovely and virgin river. However, the object of this assignment is not to introduce Hirikatu-oya as a viable tourist destination hence, already it is being used by the local tourists for washing and bathing purposes. But no one has seen the upper part of the Hirikatu-oya neither experienced that path except for the villagers.
Therefore, throughout my assignment, I intend to introduce a walk through Hirikatu-oya to its origin place, which takes few hours and which is really hard. So that all tourists will not be able to visit the upper part of the Hirikatu-oya except for healthy and capable tourists who seek for an adventural and a novel experience. The walk through Hirikatu-oya will be a viable plan because many activities can be added to increase the tourists’ attraction to Hirikatu-oya.
The accessibility is convincing, and the route is safe although it is more or less adventurous. In addition to that tourists will be able to explore the flora and fauna of the Hirikatu-oya. Hirikatu-oya has its own set of rich flora and fauna and therefore the walk to the upper side of the river also is an educational visit if the tourists are willing to study.
Further, we can practice the community based tourism in the upper side of the river with the help of villagers who are living in the upper side of the river bank. Both Sinhala and Tamil cultures can be touched through this walk. Therefore this may help to enhance the living standard of the people who living there.