Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kalpitiya & Dutch Bay
Dolphins and kitesurfing are what bring people to the Kalpitiya peninsula. Schools of dol-
phins hundreds strong can often be seen jostling and playing in the offshore waters and
boat safaris offer close-up views of these aquatic mammals. Meanwhile, for those who
want to act like a dolphin dancing through the waves, Kalpitiya, with its near constant
strong winds, is widely considered to have the best kitesurfing conditions in South Asia.
Until recently, this was an intensely rural backwater that saw very few visitors. But it's
not just thrill seekers and nature lovers who've discovered Kalpitiya. The government,
looking to expand the island's tourist industry, is engaged in a project to turn the peninsula
and its string of offshore islands into one of Sri Lanka's prime beach tourism destinations.
The blueprints call for investment in projects as diverse as luxury accommodation for over
10,000 people, a domestic airport, theme parks, an underwater amusement park (!), golf
courses, high-speed boat safaris and much more. Environmentalists are concerned about
the impact these projects will have on the populations of dolphins, sperm whales and
dugongs which use the waters around Dutch Bay.
More importantly, though, a large number of local people are concerned that their needs
are being overlooked in favour of grandiose tourist developments. In addition to the ban-
ning of fishing in certain areas, they also have concerns about the development process it-
self (the minister of economic development has admitted that land deeds have been forged
in some places). According to the Law and Society Trust, an independent Sri Lankan body,
there is, among other issues, a 'lack of transparency and duplicity in the state's process of
land acquisition', a 'violation of land tenure rights and customary rights' and 'forceful land
acquisition, violation of private ownership, and illegal land grabbing taking place in Kal-
pitiya area'.
However, considering the windy beaches, the tendency towards overpriced accommoda-
tion and the relatively brown waters of Dutch Bay and the surrounding ocean (in compar-
ison with the crystal blues of the south coast), we do wonder if it will all turn into a bit of a
white elephant.
Sights & Activities
Search WWH ::




Custom Search