By Uwin Lugoda
To help further beautify Colombo and increase the number of tourist attractions within the city, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) recently began construction on a new bird park, at the behest of the Government.
Located in Madiwela, the park, which is being named the "Colombo Bird Park", will be in line with the Government's ecological values, according to the UDA. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, an official at the UDA stated that construction on this has begun in moderation on the instructions of both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The park is being done in accordance with the President's “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy statement, to transform Colombo's existing environs into major tourist attractions. Among the plans of the framework are a number of projects designed to attract both local and international tourists to the city, with the use of wetland parks, urban forest parks, and urban agricultural parks.
"All these projects are being done jointly by us and the State Ministry of Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Community Sanitation. As one of its steps, we are planning to construct this new 'Colombo Bird Park', with the aim of providing a new tourism experience within the city," said the UDA official.
They stated that the UDA plans on using 39 acres of marshy land in Madiwela for this development project. The project also looks to protect this land, which is currently under threat of destruction via pollution and unauthorised filling.
Therefore, the official explained that this park is being constructed to protect this wetland ecosystem and to keep the canals flowing directly through this wetland, which is also connected to the much larger Diyawanna Oya.
Speaking on the matter during the project launch, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Public Affairs Dr. Nalaka Godahewa stated that the project is for the future of the country. He explained that the Madiwela Wetland will now host an eco-friendly park and protect the environment for our future generations.
"We are doing this bird park project in hopes that we attract both local and international tourists and also for the country's future. Despite the current ongoing global pandemic, we have formulated a plan and are going to successfully finish this project."
UDA Director General Prasad Ranaweera stated that the country can gain investment opportunities by utilising the private sector for these development projects. He stated that this project will be an asset to the local economy, while also having a positive environmental impact on the area.
He stated that these 35 acres alone contain nearly 9,000 species of valuable timber and plants, which the Government had previously planted. He further highlighted that the UDA hopes to remove the garbage and bottles collected from the surrounding areas to transform this area into an environment that can be enjoyed by society.
"Our main objective is to implement such environmentally important projects of economic value. We are also grateful to the private sector for being able to implement such projects."
Ranaweera stated that the project will be subjected to the full supervision of the UDA and all legal systems from the relevant institutions such as the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Land Development Corporation.
The park will host several other features as well, including a fully fledged wetland park with bird shows, exotic and local bird watching opportunities, water parks, forest parks, and restaurants. However, the UDA official assured that only 2% of the Madiwela land will be used for these activities, while the rest will have eco-friendly designs and will be solely focused on protecting the wetlands.
He added that an experienced private sector investor was selected for the project, in accordance with the Government’s procurement guidelines, based on a 30-year lease value determined by the Chief Government Assessor. Moreover, the project will happen on a design, build, finance, and operate basis.
"The investor will be responsible for the construction and the maintenance of this bird park, and it will be in accordance with the approval and development planning guidelines of the government agencies," said the official.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 1.5 billion and construction is expected to be completed within two years.
To help further beautify Colombo and increase the number of tourist attractions within the city, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) recently began construction on a new bird park, at the behest of the Government.
Located in Madiwela, the park, which is being named the "Colombo Bird Park", will be in line with the Government's ecological values, according to the UDA. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, an official at the UDA stated that construction on this has begun in moderation on the instructions of both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The park is being done in accordance with the President's “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy statement, to transform Colombo's existing environs into major tourist attractions. Among the plans of the framework are a number of projects designed to attract both local and international tourists to the city, with the use of wetland parks, urban forest parks, and urban agricultural parks.
"All these projects are being done jointly by us and the State Ministry of Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Community Sanitation. As one of its steps, we are planning to construct this new 'Colombo Bird Park', with the aim of providing a new tourism experience within the city," said the UDA official.
They stated that the UDA plans on using 39 acres of marshy land in Madiwela for this development project. The project also looks to protect this land, which is currently under threat of destruction via pollution and unauthorised filling.
Therefore, the official explained that this park is being constructed to protect this wetland ecosystem and to keep the canals flowing directly through this wetland, which is also connected to the much larger Diyawanna Oya.
Speaking on the matter during the project launch, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Public Affairs Dr. Nalaka Godahewa stated that the project is for the future of the country. He explained that the Madiwela Wetland will now host an eco-friendly park and protect the environment for our future generations.
"We are doing this bird park project in hopes that we attract both local and international tourists and also for the country's future. Despite the current ongoing global pandemic, we have formulated a plan and are going to successfully finish this project."
UDA Director General Prasad Ranaweera stated that the country can gain investment opportunities by utilising the private sector for these development projects. He stated that this project will be an asset to the local economy, while also having a positive environmental impact on the area.
He stated that these 35 acres alone contain nearly 9,000 species of valuable timber and plants, which the Government had previously planted. He further highlighted that the UDA hopes to remove the garbage and bottles collected from the surrounding areas to transform this area into an environment that can be enjoyed by society.
"Our main objective is to implement such environmentally important projects of economic value. We are also grateful to the private sector for being able to implement such projects."
Ranaweera stated that the project will be subjected to the full supervision of the UDA and all legal systems from the relevant institutions such as the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Land Development Corporation.
The park will host several other features as well, including a fully fledged wetland park with bird shows, exotic and local bird watching opportunities, water parks, forest parks, and restaurants. However, the UDA official assured that only 2% of the Madiwela land will be used for these activities, while the rest will have eco-friendly designs and will be solely focused on protecting the wetlands.
He added that an experienced private sector investor was selected for the project, in accordance with the Government’s procurement guidelines, based on a 30-year lease value determined by the Chief Government Assessor. Moreover, the project will happen on a design, build, finance, and operate basis.
"The investor will be responsible for the construction and the maintenance of this bird park, and it will be in accordance with the approval and development planning guidelines of the government agencies," said the official.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 1.5 billion and construction is expected to be completed within two years.