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TRINCOMALEE BAY SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA Page | 32
of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) and other invasive species can compounded the
damage to the coral reefs.
138. NARA has identified many issues which threaten the sustainability of reef ecosystems
in Trincomalee bay. Reefs are threatened by dynamite fishing, collection of corals for the
aquarium trade, breaking of corals to obtain giant tubeworms and sea feathers for the
aquarium trade, spear fishing, boat anchors, use of illegal fishing gears and tools, boat
anchorage, pollution, accidental treading and breaking by tourists, and collecting as
souvenirs. There are seven or eight aquarium trade companies in Trincomalee alone, and a
further four or five companies operate out of China bay. These employ 150-200 aqualung
divers plus additional 50-60 snorkelers.(Personal communication with Arjan Rajasuriya -
NARA)
8. Forests and Forest Plantations
139. Hilly areas in the north western section of the Trincomalee bay are covered with
natural forest dominated by semi-deciduous monsoon forests. Degraded secondary scrub
forests are found at lower elevations in these hilly ranges. Due to the rocky outcrops in the
hilly areas, natural forests are less diverse and sparse. The natural forests are dominated by
species such as Chloroxylon swietenia (satin wood), Drypetes sepiaria, and Manilkara
hexandra while other species such as Bauhinia racemosa, Sterculia spp and Zizyphus spp.,
are less prevalent.
140. There are no forest plantations in the SAM planning area. There is no information
about the extent of the forests and forest plantations in the SAM planning area. However,
Trincomalee District has high forest cover and recent study by Urban Development Authority
shows that forest cover of the district is 49% (130,000 hectares).
9. Wild fauna
141. The hilly terrain and extensive network of wetlands covering over 50,000 ha that
extend inland from Trincomalee harbour / Koddiyar bay between Kinniya and Muthur create a
diverse mosaic of habitat for wild fauna. Unfortunately no studies have been carried out in
the hilly areas around the bay because these areas are under the control of the security
forces where the Navy, Air force and Army have bases. Due to the relatively large area and
diversity of habitat types, faunal diversity could also be very high. Rare fauna such as
Elephant (Maximum maximum), Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris, C. Porosus) Leopard
(Panthera pardus) have been reported in the SAM planning area in the past.
142. The Great Sober Island and Little Sober Island in the inner harbour were declared as
sanctuaries in 1963 partly to protect an elephant route where elephant swam from Snug cove
to the islands. These movements were still reported to occur in 2001. This phenomenon
would be of huge interest to tourists and for tourism marketing purposes. It is, therefore,
important that the elephant corridors between the delta area and Snug cove are kept clear of
any development and barriers removed as soon as the security situation warrants (Ref.0950).
143. Avifauna diversity is comparatively high due to habitat diversity such as hilly forests,
scrub forests, mangroves, mud flats and coastal water bodies. Different studies have
identified 65 avifaunal species in and around Trincomalee bay. The common bird species are
terns, gulls, pond herons and egrets. Large resident water birds have been recorded in
wetlands around the bay and the bay attracts large numbers of migratory birds in the winter
months.