vendredi 1 août 2014

Why this new site on smallest islands of Sri Lanka?

By launching this new site (under construction), Diversiflora International aims to reach three objectives:

- first, to show the beauty and the huge diversity of the small islands surrounding or inside Sri Lanka mainland
- second, to help local and foreign visitors to choose among these islands those they would like to visit
- third, to show how these small islands could be further integrated in the country strategy for conserving biodiversity of plant and animal species.

In order to facilitate their visits, the islands will be ranked by geographical zones, as indicated in the map and as follows: North-West, North, North-East, East, Central, South-East, South, South-West and West (including Colombo, the Capital City).

Ranking of islands by tourism and conservation interests will be also proposed at the end of this site (last articles).

Climate (rain, mm) in Sri Lanka
It is quite suprising to see that different islands located in different regions of Sri Lanka have the same name. For istance, the name "Puliyantivu" is used for three different islands.

Polymotu is a new research and development concept intending to use small islands, valleys or other geographically isolated locations for the conservation of biodiversity of various species, including the coconut palm. This concept was derived from ancient Polynesian practices.

mercredi 30 juillet 2014

NW-20-Kalliaditivu island

Kalliaditivu island
Latitude and longitude:   8.945369°; 79.909805°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: 1.71 km2
Distance from mainland: 100 m

Kalliaditivu island is one of the two islands linked by an old railway bridge who served to reach the largest Mannar Island. There are now two roads and bridges to reach Mannar, and the other one is most frequently used. The island, rectangle shapted, is approximatively 2200 m long and 1000 m wide.

Kalliaditivu and  Puliyantivu islands
This mangrove island is uninhabited and mainly frequented by fishermen.

Interest for tourism: +
Interest for Polymotu project: +
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: Galadi doova
Other names: unknown


lundi 28 juillet 2014

NW-30-Mannar island



Latitude and longitude: 9.061088° ;  79.808407°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: 126.46 km2
Distance from mainland: 360m

Interest for tourism: +++
Interest for Polymotu project: 0
Other conservation interest: unknown

Mannar is the large island closest to India. It gives the way to Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar. Between 1914 and 1964, there was a train and ferry link from mainland India via Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar to Colombo, but this was not resumed after the disastrous damages caused by a cyclone in 1964.
The island is quite dry; fishing is economically important. Its main settlements are Mannar and Erukkulampiddi on its eastern coast and Pesalai on its northern coast, all connected by the A14 road which leads across the bridge to mainland Sri Lanka.

Sinhala name: Mannaram doopatha
Other names: unknown

We visited Mannar island on the 20th of July 2014. The West South coast is under military control. We went to the beach at approximatively   (9.050362°; 79.786839°) and when arriving to the beach, a soldier immediately came and told us that it was permitted to walk along the beach but not to bath and swim. We walked about 300m on West side and we started to bath anyway, but very rapidly another soldier went from the East and told us again it was forbidden to bath. So the coast is well guarded, with a soldier for approximatively 500 m of beach.


A possible reason is that people told us that it is possible to go from Sri Lanka to India by... swimming! Their are on Adam Bridge many small islands where it is possible to rest. They says that it is even possible to go from some islands to others only by walking in the sea, as it is not deep.... 


dimanche 27 juillet 2014

NW-52. Puliyantivu near Mannar island

 
Puliyantivu Island near Mannar island
There are three islands named 'Puliyantivu' in Sri lanka. This one is located betwen mainland and the Mannar island. The two other ones are located in Eastern Batticaloa and Northern Jaffna.

Latitude and longitude: 8.95528°N 79.90028°E
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: 0.90 km2
Distance from mainland: 1500 m

Puliyantivu is the second of the two islands linked by an old bridge who served to reach the largest Mannar Island by train . There are now another road and bridge to reach Mannar, and the other one is no more used. It seems that the old bridge is now broken at North of Puliyantivu Island. The island, square shaped, is approximatively 1500 m long and wide.

Kalliaditivu and  Puliyantivu islands near Mannar
This mangrove island is uninhabited and mainly frequented by fishermen. A visit up to the old broken bridge is recommend for those who have the time to do it (only about 3km of road to reach this place). The beach located at North-West, and especially the narrow sandy band between sea and lagoon, may also be nice to visit.
Old railway bridge and Puliyantivu Island by Asitha Perera
Interest for tourism: ++
Interest for Polymotu project: ++ (in the elevated areas of the island)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: Kotidoova
Other names: unknown

samedi 26 juillet 2014

NW-67. Adam's Bridge (a chain of 16 sand islands between Sri Lanka and India)


Adam's bridge between Sri Lanka and India

Adam's Bridge (Tamil: ஆதாம் பாலம் ātām pālam), also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu (Tamil: இராமர் பாலம் Irāmar pālam, Sanskrit: रामसेतु, rāmasetu),[1] is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka.

There are 16 sand islands, eight of which are said to belong to Sri Lanka, and the other eight, to India. The maritime boundary is at the middle point (source: Sundays time of Sri Lanka). In 2012, it was reported that on Urumali beach, the Navy has established a small-scale, commercial venture, which allows tourists to take a journey in a naval craft to see the ‘bridge’ for a fee of Rs. 600 per person. No information if this facility remains available in 2014.

Adam's bridge between Sri Lanka and India
The bridge was first mentioned in the ancient Indian Sanskrit epic Ramayana of Valmiki.[7] The name Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu (Sanskrit; setu: bridge) refers to the bridge built by the Vanara (ape men) army of Lord Rama in Hindu theology with instructions from Nala,[8] which he used to reach Lanka and rescue his wife Sita from the Rakshasa king, Ravana.[7] The Ramayana attributes the building of this bridge to Rama in verse 2-22-76, naming it as Setubandhanam, a name that persists until today.
According to Islamic tradition, ‘Adam’ crossed these shoals in order to stand on one leg for 1,000 years on the mountain of Samanala (Adam’s Peak) as a penance for his indiscretion in Eden; hence, the name “Adam’s Bridge”.

The actual ‘bridge’, is about 30 km long. Geological evidence suggests that the 'bridge' is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. It was reportedly passable on foot up to the 15th century until storms deepened the channel: temple records seem to say that Rama’s Bridge was completely above sea level until it broke in a cyclone in AD 1480. Certain historical inscriptions, old travel guides, old dictionary references and some old maps have been said to reinforce a religious and geographical belief that this is an ancient man-made bridge. Some Sri Lankan historians have condemned the undertaking as "a gross distortion of Sri Lankan history". A former director of the Geological Survey of India, S. Badrinarayanan, claims that such a natural formation would be impossible. He justifies the same by the presence of a loose sand layer under corals for the entire stretch. Corals normally form above rocks.

Between 1914 and 1964, there was a train and ferry link from mainland India via Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar to Colombo, but this was not resumed after the disastrous damages caused by a cyclone in 1964.


Map of the old liaison by train and ferry

lundi 30 juin 2014

N-02-Analativu

Analativu Island in Northern Jaffna
Latitude and longitude: 9.667548° 79.774937°
Surface: 4.82 km2

Located in a group of seven islands; distance to mainland: 16.5 km; distance to nearby island: 2,4 km. It seems that the name of the Island come from a type of Yam, so it could be interesting to know more about this crop variety.

Interest for tourism: ++
Interest for Polymotu project: none
Other conservation interest: unknown, may be yam.

Note: The small elongated island located North East of Analativu Island could be suitable for Polymotu project devoted to cross-pollinating crops such as the coconut palm.

Sinhala name: Annaladoova.
Other names: Dutch: Rotterdam, Annelletivo.
Meaning: Tamil 'analai' has no clear meaning; 'tivu' in T, 'diva' in S, and 'dweepa' in Skrt. The Sinhalese 'annala', 'innala', or 'ran-ala' are types of yam. Hist: The form Annelletivo, is given in Dutch records.

Map of Analativu Island in Northern Jaffna







dimanche 29 juin 2014

N-06-Chirutivu (Sirutivu)

Chirutivu (Sirutivu) Island in Northern Jaffna
Latitude and longitude:   9.645260°;  80.007646°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: 0.09 km2
Distance from mainland: 350 m
The island’s dimensions are 1450m (l) by 370m (w) max.

Interest for Polymotu project: + (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Interest for tourism: ++
Other conservation interest: unknown

Located between Mandativu island and Jaffna Peninsula.


The company Lotus Leaf Properties has recently acquired the long-term lease of Chirutivu Island near Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Plans to develop the island into a luxury eco-tourism resort are currently being prepared based on findings from environmental and feasibility studies. Conservation of useful treecrops could be integrated in this project in the framework of a multidimensional landcape use approach.

Inside Chirutivu Island (picture from Lotus Leaf Properties)






samedi 28 juin 2014

N-09-Eluvaitivu

Eluvaitivu island in Northern Jaffna
Latitude and longitude:   9.700833°;  79.810556°

Surface: 1.40 km2
Distance from mainland: 2900 m

Interest for tourism: +
Interest for Polymotu project: + (village-level coordinated conservation)
Other conservation interest: unknown


Populated by approximately 800 inhabitants.


View of  Eluvaitivu Island by Rasu
Sinhala name: Eluvadoova
Other names: Unknown




N-10-Erumaitivu Island in Northern Kilinochchi district

Erumaitivu Island in Northern Kilinochchi  
According to Wikipedia, there are two "Erumaituvu Islands" in Sri Lanka: This one is located in Northern Kilinochchi, and the other one is located in North Western Puttalam.

Latitude and longitude: 9.3375°; 80.055556°
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: 1.04 km2
Distance from mainland: 300 m



This island is unhinabited. Estimate terrain elevation is 7 metres above seal level. The island has a crescent shape of about 2.3 km long and 0.8 km large in the middle.

Interest for tourism: +
Interest for Polymotu project: +
(Part of the island could be used to conserve tree crop varieties, although distance from mainland is not sufficient to avoid pollen contamination and guarantee full reproductive isolation)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: Mahisadoova
Other names: Irreme tivu, Erumaitivu, Erumaitivu, Irreme tivu.


Erumaitivu Island, by Anton Kamilas






vendredi 27 juin 2014

N-15-Iranaitivu North

Iranaitivu North Island
Northern Kilinochchi Poonakary

Latitude and longitude: 9.291944°; 79.981667°
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: 0.XX km2
Distance from mainland: XXX m

Interest for tourism: ++
Interest for Polymotu project: + (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name:
Other names: unknown

Sinhala: Erandoova
Other name: Enkhuizen  (Dutch).

jeudi 26 juin 2014

N-16-Iranaitivu South

Iranaitivu South     Northern     Kilinochchi     Poonakary     9°16′50″N 80°00′04″E     1.71         Dutch Hoorn.

Sinhala: Uoona doova.

N-17-Kachchatheevu

Kachchatheevu     Northern     Jaffna     Neduntivu (Delft)

8.330278, 79.806111

     0.68         Pali: Kachchatheetha.

Sinhala: Kachchadoova.


N-18-Kakaraitivu

Kakaraitivu     Northern     Jaffna?     Neduntivu (Delft)?     9°26′23″N 79°53′14″E     0.14     Uninhabited     Dutch: Calienye.

Sinhala: Sakkaradoova.


N-19-Kakkativu

Kakkativu island
Northern Kilinochchi Poonakary

Latitude and longitude: 9.316944°; 80.080833 °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: Kaakadoova
Other names: unknown


mardi 24 juin 2014

N-21. Kanantivu

Kanantivu     Northern     Jaffna     Islands South (Velanai)     9°37′33″N 79°51′26″E     1.22         Between Kayts and Pungudutivu.

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown


Sinhala: Kaennadoova.

lundi 23 juin 2014

N-23. Karaitivu

Karaitivu     Northern     Jaffna     Islands South (Velanai)     9°36′27″N 79°49′48″E     0.97         Adjacent (north) of Pungudutivu.

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

dimanche 22 juin 2014

N-25.Karaitivu

Karaitivu     North Western     Puttalam         8°27′45″N 79°47′15″E             West of Portugal Bay.

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

N-26. Kayts or Velanai

Kayts / Velanai     Northern     Jaffna     Islands North (Kayts) atuvan&
Islands South (Velanai)     9°39′09″N 79°54′11″E     64.01     16,300     Named Leiden by Dutch.

Sinhala: Uruthota (Kayts); Bellana (Velanai)

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

vendredi 20 juin 2014

N-27 Kurikadduvan

Kurikadduvan     Northern     Jaffna     Islands South (Velanai)     9°35′43″N 79°47′40″E     0.38         Adjacent (north west) of Naduturitti.


Sinhala: Kiralakatuvana

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

jeudi 19 juin 2014

N-29. Mandativu

Mandativu     Northern     Jaffna     Islands South (Velanai)     9°36′48″N 79°59′44″E     7.56     900    

Sinhala: Mandadoova

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

dimanche 15 juin 2014

N-37. Naduturitti

Naduturitti     Northern     Jaffna     Islands South (Velanai)     9°35′05″N 79°47′54″E     0.88         Adjacent (south west) of Pungudutivu.


Sinhala: Madduriththa

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

samedi 14 juin 2014

N-38. Nainativu

Nainativu Island  in Northen Jaffna
Latitude and longitude:   9.603990 ; 79.767800
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: 4.22 km2
Distance from mainland: 19.7 km

Interest for tourism: +++
Interest for Polymotu project:  0
Other conservation interest: unknown



Sinhala name: Nagadeepa
Other names: Haarlem (Dutch)

 Kurikattuvan in  Pungudutivu Island is the place to get your boat service to reach Nainativu island, popular for the religious place. Pungudutivu is connected by road with the main town Jaffna. SLTB and private buses are traveling through this place as the main route is Jaffna.


Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple (Tamil: நயினாதீவு நாகபூசணி அம்மன் கோயில்) is an ancient and historic Hindu temple located amidst the Palk Strait on the island of Nainativu, Sri Lanka. It is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Nagapooshani or Bhuvaneswari and her consort, Shiva who is named here as Nayinaar. The temple's fame is accredited to Adi Shankaracharya, a 9th-century Hindu philosopher, for identifying it as one of the prominent 64 Shakti Peethams in Shakti Peetha Stotram and its mention in the Brahmanda Purana. The temple complex houses four gopurams (gateway towers) ranging from 20–25 feet in height, to the tallest being the eastern Raja Raja Gopuram soaring at 108 feet high. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, such as Manimekalai and Kundalakesi. The present structure was built during 1720 to 1790 after the ancient structure was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1620.


The temple attracts around 1000 visitors a day, and approximately 5000 visitors during festivals. The annual 16 day Mahostavam (Thiruvizha) festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Aani (June/July) - attracts over 100,000 pilgrims. There is an estimated 10,000 sculptures in this newly renovated temple.


 

jeudi 12 juin 2014

N-39. Neduntivu in Jaffna

Neduntivu     Northern     Jaffna     Neduntivu (Delft)     9°30′48″N 79°41′22″E     47.17     4,200     Dutch: Delft.

They are two islands named "Neduntivu" in Sri Lanka; this one is located in Jaffna, and the other one in Puttalam lagoon.


Sinhala: Maedundoova.

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

N-42. Palaitivu

Palaitivu     Northern     Jaffna     Islands South (Velanai)     9°37′22″N 79°49′10″E     0.16         Adjacent (north) of Pungudutivu.Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

mercredi 11 juin 2014

N-43. Palaitivu

Palaitivu     Northern     Kilinochchi     Poonakary     9°28′39″N 80°00′45″E     1.81         Named Galue by Dutch.

Sinhala: Paludoova.

Latitude and longitude:   9.476492; 80.011892°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: 9460 m

Interest for tourism: +
Interest for Polymotu project:  ++ (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

mardi 10 juin 2014

N-44. Paratitivu

Paratitivu     Northern     Jaffna     Islands North (Kayts)     9°41′06″N 79°47′32″E     0.38     Uninhabited     Between Analativu and Eluvaitivu.

Sinhal: Sinhala: Paludoova.

Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

lundi 9 juin 2014

N-51. Puliyantivu n°2 in Jafna

Puliyantivu     Northern     Jaffna     Islands North (Kayts)     9°38′52″N 79°46′28″E     0.44         Adjacent (south east) Analativu.

Sinhala: Kotidoova.
Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown

dimanche 8 juin 2014

N-54. Pungudutivu

Northern Jaffna region

Latitude and longitude:   9.587689 ; 79.831514°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: 22.56 km2
Distance from mainland: 3.80 km

Interest for tourism: ++
Interest for Polymotu project: 0
Other conservation interest: unknown

Pungudutivu is a small island composed of number villages that is just west of the Jaffna Peninsula in Northern Province. It is divided into 12 wards internally, each corresponding a major settlement. Most of the residents of the Island are Tamils with majority are being Hindus and a minority Christians. There are lot of Hindu temples in this region along with some Christian churches. Nearly 15 Tamil schools exist there for the benefits of the place. Government hospital and some private clinics are available.
Pungudutivu is connected by road with the main town Jaffna. SLTB and private buses are traveling through this place as the main route is Jaffna - Kurikattuvan. Kurikattuvan is the place to get your boat service to reach Nainativu an island popular for the religious place. Nainativu is called as Nagadeepa by the Sinhalese people in Sinhala.
The civil war has also led a large number of people to migrate out of the Island throughout the world.

Sinhala name (Pali):Punguthdeepa
Other names: Middleburg by the Dutch colonial rulers
 
 

samedi 7 juin 2014

N-60. Horattapputti

Northern     Jaffna     Valikamam West (Chankanai)     9°44′55″N 79°54′23″E     0.14         Between Karaitivu and Jaffna Peninsula.

Sinhala: Doratumukka.
Latitude and longitude: °; °
(from Wikipedia)

Surface: km2
Distance from mainland: m

Interest for tourism:
Interest for Polymotu project:  (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name: 
Other names: unknown



jeudi 5 juin 2014

NE-07-Clappenburg Island

Clappenburg Island in Koddiyar Bay
Latitude and longitude:    8.530562° ; 81.210902°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)

Surface: 0.05 km2
Distance from mainland: 50 m

In the centre or the Trincomalee lagoons, a long and narrow island linked to mainland by a small bridge, sandy road. Inhabited but most of the island is wild and uncultivated.


Interest for tourism: ++
Interest for Polymotu project: + (linked to the future tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown

Sinhala name:
Other names: unknown