To celebrate World Wetlands Day we bring you photographs from the Thalangama Wetland
The Thalangama wetland comprises water, vegetation and paddy fields, and is in the country’s administrative capital of Sri Jayawardenapura. The wetland is a popular site for bird watchers, nature lovers and visitors wanting to enjoy its marshes, waterways and lush foliage.
The National Wetlands Directory prepared by the Central Environment authority (CEA), IWMI and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in 2006 lists 90 species of birds of which 13 are migrants, 41 plant species, 12 species of reptiles, 10 species of mammals and 15 freshwater fish species in this wetland.
The tanks is also a rich resource for the community that surrounds it. People wade in regularly to collect lotus leaves that are supplied to the kades (small shops) to wrap a meal of rice. The lotus flowers are collected at day break by temple worshippers, to offer to the Buddha.