Pigeon Island National Park | Sri Lanka

Pigeon Island National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s two marine national parks. The national park, which covers 471.429 hectares, is located 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town in Eastern Province. The name of the island comes from the rock pigeon that has colonized it. The national park is home to some of Sri Lanka’s best remaining coral reefs. Pigeon Island was designated as a wildlife refuge in 1963. It was re-designated as a national park in 2003. This is Sri Lanka’s 17th national park. During the colonial era, the island was used as a shooting range. Pigeon Island was one of several protected areas hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Pigeon Island National Park is home to some of Sri Lanka’s best remaining coral reefs. The national park, which covers 471.429 hectares, was designated as a wildlife refuge in 1963. It was re-designated as a national park in 2003.

Physical Features

Pigeon Island is made up of two islands: the large pigeon island and the small pigeon island. The large pigeon island is about 200 m long and 100 m wide, and it is surrounded by a coral reef. It reaches a height of 44.8 meters above mean sea level. The rocky islets surround the small pigeon island. The national park is located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. The average annual temperature is approximately 27.0 °C (80.6 °F). The annual rainfall ranges between 1,000 and 1,700 millimeters (39 and 67 inches), with the majority falling during the North-eastern monsoon season, which lasts from October to March.

Pigeon Island National Park is located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. The average annual temperature is approximately 27.0 °C (80.6 °F). Annual rainfall ranges between 1,000 and 1,700 millimeters (39 and 67 inches), with the majority falling during the North-eastern monsoon season.

Flora and Fauna

The coral reef fauna of large pigeon island is dominated by Acropora spp., with some Montipora spp. The coral reef around the rocky islets is dominated by Faviidae, Mussidae, and Poritidae species. Soft corals such as Sinularia, Lobophyton, and Sarcophyton can also be found in these areas. Many vertebrates and invertebrates live on the coral reef. Many of the 100 coral species and 300 coral reef fishes discovered in the Trincomalee area can be found in the national park. Blacktip reef sharks, both juvenile and adult, can be seen in the shallow coral areas. The coral reef’s visiting sea turtles include the hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and olive ridley. The rock pigeon uses the island as a breeding ground.

The coral reef fauna of large pigeon island is dominated by Acropora spp. Blacktip reef sharks, both juvenile and adult, can be seen in shallow coral areas. The coral reef’s visiting sea turtles include the hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and olive ridley.

Conservation

The coral reefs main economic uses are fishing and ornamental fish collection. Pigeon Island is also a popular scuba diving location. Uncontrolled tourism has resulted in reef degradation, biodiversity loss, and a decrease in fish density. Civil war has hampered scientific research over the last two decades. A proposed pier between the mainland coast and the island has been met with opposition.