Madu Gamga Ramsar Wetland |
Madu Gamga Ramsar Wetland |
Madu Ganga Ramsar Wetland
Introduction
Maduganga Is Located in Balapitiya divisional Secretariat in
the Gall District, of Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Maduganga is relatively
unspoilt estuary with a dense growth of mangrove vegetation harboring a height
biodiversity. A total of 15 islands (145 ha) within the Maduganga are surroundings (2300 ha) were declared as a
sanctuary in July 2006 and also this area was declared as a Ramsar site in 2003
by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Ecological Features:
Flora:
The most abundant mangrove species available in this
Ramsar site is Rhizophora apiculata. It also harbors 19 endemic species,
and 8 that are nationally threatened. A rate orchid (Vanilla walkerae)
can be found in one of the islands. The estuarine area comprises of 10
different wetland vegetation types including mangroves, mangrove scrub, mangrove mixed swamps, bank scrubs ,tall
shrub swamps, palm swamps , tall sedge brackish marshes ,dwarf sedge brackish
marshes germanous bogs and lactic macrophysics. These vegetation types have
contributed to a rich biodiversity, with 303 plant species belonging
to35families. Maduganga harbors a small population of very rare, threatened
mangrove species of Lumnitzera littorea.
Fauna:
The mixed vegetation makes Manduganga an ideal ecotone for
a variety of birds species, including aquatic and terrestrial forms. 111
species of birds, of witch 10% are winter migrants have been recoded from the
area. Due to the lack of shorelines and mudflats, there is a low occurrence of
waders. In total 248 vertebrate species have been recoded, which include 70
species of fish, 12 amphibians, 31 reptiles and 24 mammal species. Of the
invertebrates, 50 species of butterflies
and 250 species of molluscs (14 terrestrial and 11 brackish water) have also
been recorded. Of the 248 species of vertebrates, 20 species are endemic (2
fish, 3 amphibians, 7 reptiles, 6 birds and 2 mammals) and 30 are nationally threatened
(2 fish, 4 amphibians, 11 reptiles, 7 birds and 6 mammals). About one third (23
species) of the fish species in Maduganga consist of typical brackish water
forms including the endemic reptile Xenochrophis asperrimus.
Hydrological and biophysical values:
Maduganga has an important role in flood control. Its hydrology
is influenced by the presence of a sandbar at the mouth and the amount of
rainfall it receives.
Social and cultural value:
Several old Buddhist temples and mosque are found within
the Maduganga environs.
Disturbances and threats :
Main threats to this important and valuable wetland
ecosystem are clearing of mangroves to establish large areas of cinnamon plantations,
extensive use of fertilizers is threatening
the quality of lagoon water, spread of invasive alien species such as Najas
marina and Anona glabra impacts not only replacing of native species
but also hinder navigation within the lagoon, discharge of sewage and garbage,
the high powered motorized boats operating in the lagon contribute to the
deterioration of habits, river bank erosion occurs as a result of sand mining ,
which disrupts the water currents in the lower reaches of Maduganga
Details of the Issue
Date of Issue : 2nd
February, 2009
Denomination : Rs.5.00 and
Rs.25.00
Designer : Palitha
Gurusinghe
Stamp Size : 41mm. x 30mm.
Format : Horizontal
Printing Process: Offset
Lithography
Sheet Composition : 100
stamps per sheet
Perforations : 13 ½ x 14
Printers : Department of
Government Printings, Sri
Lanka
Colours : 4 process Colours
Paper : 102 gsm. Security
Stamp Paper
Gum : PVA
Quantity Printed : 500000 x
2
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