Beddagana Wetland Park is located in Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte close to Diyawanna Lake. Nestled within the ‘Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte Bird Sanctuary’, a treasure of tropical mysteries buzzing with an abundance of life, the wetland park is a sight to behold. It is one of the newest attractions close to Colombo which has opened in 2016 close to Colombo. The park covers 18 hectares of wetlands surrounding Diyawanna Lake which is part of the much larger Diyawanna Lake floodplains Wildlife Sanctuary declared by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1985.
The park was created as a recreation facility that helps with flood control, provides a refuge for flora and fauna, and moderates the temperature of the immediate surroundings. A quaint nature trail weaves its way through the cluster of overgrown shrubs and low hanging vines, offering one an experience of walking through a forest, albeit with fewer risks. The refreshing gust of cold air wraps around you, as you step into a beautifully done haven for nature lovers. A raised wooden platform entwined its way through the intersected marsh, as the unfailing beauty of flora and fauna are witnessed, an unhindered route to the crux of the park’s attractions. Beddagana Wetland Park also provides a facility that educates the public about the city’s natural resources as well as providing much-needed open space and walking paths.
The marsh remained undisturbed for many centuries, becoming overgrown with mangroves and wetland plants. It became the location of a rich and flourishing ecosystem as many birds and animals made their home amongst the wilderness. Untouched by humans and unseen from prying eyes, the marshland became a haven for rare local and migratory birds and a large number of insect life. Seeds brought in by the birds also gave rise to many beautiful and rare flowering plants, causing a number of butterfly species to visit the area. The park is home to many endemic birds and other faunal species such as butterflies, reptiles, dragonflies, and mammals native to Sri Lanka and Asian Wetlands. Variety of floral species common to an inland wetland comprising of endemic and threatened categories create niches of the habitat. The park is a popular stopover of the variety of migrant birds during its season from August to April each year.
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Beddagana Wetland Park has various zones with 2 main trails. The zones have clear name boards, allowing you to distinguish them. The first trail is named as Lakeside Trail. This trail consists of a boardwalk through the greenery, runs alongside the lake, and ends at a floating deck that gives an amazing view of the lake. The trail passes through 2 key zones: the Butterfly Walk and the Duck Pond. Butterfly Walk is an area with a large number of flowering plants much loved by butterflies. The boardwalk will lead you over marshland and through curtains of vines and mangrove tunnels. After some time you will come upon a large pond with many waterbirds called the Duck Pond.
After leaving the Duck Pond, the boardwalk of Trail 1 will continue towards the lake. When going further, you will reach the lakeside and find that the boardwalk follows the bank. This section is known as Diyawanna Walk. You will pass by a small timber deck that extends over the water. You can enjoy the lake here. After enjoying the picturesque scenery along the way, you will come to the end of the trail, the Floating Deck.
The second trail is known as the Migratory Birds Trail. The Bird trail which continues from here passes through an open area with scrubby low trees, a natural water reservoir, and marshland. You will find many waders, water birds, and other bird species here. There will be much to see here for Birdwatching enthusiasts so keep your binoculars and cameras as hand. This trail will allow you to leave the park and ends the tour.
