PROTECTED NATIONAL FORESTS IN SRI LANKA
Yala National park
Wilpattu National park
Gaioya National park
Chundikulam National park
Wasgamuwa National park
horton plains
Bundala National park
Kosgoda National park
Lahugala National park
Somawathi chathiya National park
Sri padaya National park
Sinharajaya National park
Wilpattu National park
Gaioya National park
Chundikulam National park
Wasgamuwa National park
horton plains
Bundala National park
Kosgoda National park
Lahugala National park
Somawathi chathiya National park
Sri padaya National park
Sinharajaya National park
HORTON PLAINS
Horton plains is situated in the highlands of the central province, 32km from nuwara eliya.this the highest plateau in the country.it is at a height of about 2300 metres.this was discovered by sir Robert Horton.The park which is 3160 hectares was declared a national park in 1988.
The average temperature of horton plains is 15c-22c with frequently occurring mists and clouds.horton plains is fed from both the north-east and south-east monsoons as wellas intermonsoons rains.It gets about 5000mm rainfall annually.horton plains is the most important catchment area of the country start from the area, namely:kelani,walawe and the mahaweli.due to the high altitude the area is cald.
The park consists of forests and grasslands with a rich biodiversity.it is home to a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora.among the 24 species of mammals,elk,deer,giant squirrel,wild boar,otter,porcupine and leopard are considered special.the bird diversity is also high with 87 species of birds including migratory birds.
The park is also famous for beautiful flowers,bovitiya,binara,dwarf bamboo and some orchid species are endemic.however,most endemic species are extinct due to poaching and carelessness of visitors.
Horton plains also feature many interesting attractions such as the 'bakers's falls' 'chimmini pool' and the famous 'world's end'.the 'world's end' is a sheer drop of 3700 feet that offers a fabulous view all the way out to the distant southern coastline.We must take necessary steps to protect this treasure for the future generations.
The average temperature of horton plains is 15c-22c with frequently occurring mists and clouds.horton plains is fed from both the north-east and south-east monsoons as wellas intermonsoons rains.It gets about 5000mm rainfall annually.horton plains is the most important catchment area of the country start from the area, namely:kelani,walawe and the mahaweli.due to the high altitude the area is cald.
The park consists of forests and grasslands with a rich biodiversity.it is home to a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora.among the 24 species of mammals,elk,deer,giant squirrel,wild boar,otter,porcupine and leopard are considered special.the bird diversity is also high with 87 species of birds including migratory birds.
The park is also famous for beautiful flowers,bovitiya,binara,dwarf bamboo and some orchid species are endemic.however,most endemic species are extinct due to poaching and carelessness of visitors.
Horton plains also feature many interesting attractions such as the 'bakers's falls' 'chimmini pool' and the famous 'world's end'.the 'world's end' is a sheer drop of 3700 feet that offers a fabulous view all the way out to the distant southern coastline.We must take necessary steps to protect this treasure for the future generations.
BAKER'S FALL
Baker's fall is one of the most eye-catching place for visitors to Horton Plains.It is situated three kilometres away from the Far Inn Information Center which is at the entrance to National Park.
The foot path to the Baker's fall lies through the misty,cold,and grassy plains across narrow brooks.The barefoot walk gives a real delight when the feet touch the cold grass and water.
The 20 metre wide waterfall plunges over a wide rock into a gorge of beautiful wide flowers.It's so spectacular that you dont' feel like leaving it.Sitting on a rock with your feet in the icy cold water you can wash away your weariness.The splendid scene combined with the sound of the water fall refreshes you and will remain in your memory forever.
It was sir Samuel Bakers who found this water fall.He was and avid hunter and an adventurous farmer who resided on the island from 1847 to1855.White exploring the hunting grounds he found the water fall and had stoped frequently there ever after.It has named Baker's Fall after him.
The foot path to the Baker's fall lies through the misty,cold,and grassy plains across narrow brooks.The barefoot walk gives a real delight when the feet touch the cold grass and water.
The 20 metre wide waterfall plunges over a wide rock into a gorge of beautiful wide flowers.It's so spectacular that you dont' feel like leaving it.Sitting on a rock with your feet in the icy cold water you can wash away your weariness.The splendid scene combined with the sound of the water fall refreshes you and will remain in your memory forever.
It was sir Samuel Bakers who found this water fall.He was and avid hunter and an adventurous farmer who resided on the island from 1847 to1855.White exploring the hunting grounds he found the water fall and had stoped frequently there ever after.It has named Baker's Fall after him.
SINHARAJA RAINFOREST
The sinharaja forest is the only undistrubed rainforest left in sri lanka.it is about 9000 hectares in extent.Many of the plants are very rare.over 60% of the tree species are found only in the lowland wet zone of sri lanka.If these species of trees are allowed to get destroyed,the world would lose them altogether.so it is important that much effort is made to conserve this rich,valuable and fragile habitat.
The sinharaja rainforest is the largest rainforest reserve in sri lanka.in 1840 sinharaja become a crown property.in 1988 the sinharaja was made a national wilderness area.in 1989 UNESCO included the sinharaja rain forest in the world heritage of sri lanka.
The sinharaja forest is home to many rare animals,birds,butterflies,insects,reptiles and trees.Ferns and mosses grow well as the climate is humid because of heavy rainfall.
Vegetation means trees,shrubs,herbs and woody climbers.the average height of trees in the sinharaja varies between 35 to 40 metres.some trees are above 50 metres.
Sinharaja provides a habitat for animals.the plants provide them with food.there are large mammals as well as small ones living there.the purple faced monkeys can be observed easily.the move about in groups.there are herbivores,carnivores as well as mixed feedres.the wild pig,the sambur,the mouse-deer are some that you find in the sinharaja.there is also evidwnce of the presence of the leopard.among other are the rusty spotted cat and the fishing cat.there are many other varieties of small mammals.
Studies have recorded 147 species of birds.some threatened species of bird are found in the sinharaja.among them are the blue magpie,the white-headed starling and the ash-headed babbler
Studies have recorded 45 varieties of reptiles.these include snakes,lizards and tortoises.the viper and the cobra are among the venomous species.conservation of sinharaja is of vital necessity.it ensures the maintenance of water resources.it also controls floods,which is a constant threat due to heavy rainfall in the area.
The sinharaja rainforest is the largest rainforest reserve in sri lanka.in 1840 sinharaja become a crown property.in 1988 the sinharaja was made a national wilderness area.in 1989 UNESCO included the sinharaja rain forest in the world heritage of sri lanka.
The sinharaja forest is home to many rare animals,birds,butterflies,insects,reptiles and trees.Ferns and mosses grow well as the climate is humid because of heavy rainfall.
Vegetation means trees,shrubs,herbs and woody climbers.the average height of trees in the sinharaja varies between 35 to 40 metres.some trees are above 50 metres.
Sinharaja provides a habitat for animals.the plants provide them with food.there are large mammals as well as small ones living there.the purple faced monkeys can be observed easily.the move about in groups.there are herbivores,carnivores as well as mixed feedres.the wild pig,the sambur,the mouse-deer are some that you find in the sinharaja.there is also evidwnce of the presence of the leopard.among other are the rusty spotted cat and the fishing cat.there are many other varieties of small mammals.
Studies have recorded 147 species of birds.some threatened species of bird are found in the sinharaja.among them are the blue magpie,the white-headed starling and the ash-headed babbler
Studies have recorded 45 varieties of reptiles.these include snakes,lizards and tortoises.the viper and the cobra are among the venomous species.conservation of sinharaja is of vital necessity.it ensures the maintenance of water resources.it also controls floods,which is a constant threat due to heavy rainfall in the area.
KITULGALA
Kithulgala was a clam,quiet and sleepy village.The Kelani river flowed down the village. The mornings were beautiful with the mist around.Some years back,a team of foreigners came there.They were looking for a location to shoot a film.The name of the film was 'The Bridge over the River Kwai'.It was a true story.In the story there was a bridge.A train was running on the bridge.It was carrying soldiers.The bridge was blown up by mistake.it happened during the Second World War.
The film-makers liked the place.They built a bridge over the river.They laid a track on it.Kitulgala is a popular holiday resort now.Many hotels and guest-houses have come up.Tourists are there throughout the year.They come specially for rafting,water skiing and other water sport.
The film-makers liked the place.They built a bridge over the river.They laid a track on it.Kitulgala is a popular holiday resort now.Many hotels and guest-houses have come up.Tourists are there throughout the year.They come specially for rafting,water skiing and other water sport.
THE PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
The pinnawala elephant orphanage is in the kegalle District.The road that leads to the orphanage is about two kilo metres from kegalle town,on the Kandy road.
It was started in 1975.There are baby and adult elephants in the orphanage.They are all rescued elephants.Farmers shoot at elephants when they come to their villages.Sometimes they throw fir brands to scare them away.Some elephants fall into pits,wells and water-holes,when they come in search of water,in the dry season.Some injured elephants fall on the way.They cannot get up because of pain,hunger an thirst.Such elephants are rescued and brought to the orphanage.
Every morning the elephants walk in a line to the Maha oya for bathing,like school children going for the morning assembly.They love to be in the water for a long time.They look like rocks when they lie in water.The mahouts scrub,brush and rub their bodies with coconut husks.The playful little ones spray and splash water on each other.
The baby elephants below one year are the infants.Those between 1year and 5 years are calves.The male adults are bulls and the female adults are cows.
An infant drinks 5 litres of milk at a time.They are bottle fed five times a day.The adults eat fodder,coconut leaves,jac leaves and kitul trunks.You can spend hours and hours watching them.
It was started in 1975.There are baby and adult elephants in the orphanage.They are all rescued elephants.Farmers shoot at elephants when they come to their villages.Sometimes they throw fir brands to scare them away.Some elephants fall into pits,wells and water-holes,when they come in search of water,in the dry season.Some injured elephants fall on the way.They cannot get up because of pain,hunger an thirst.Such elephants are rescued and brought to the orphanage.
Every morning the elephants walk in a line to the Maha oya for bathing,like school children going for the morning assembly.They love to be in the water for a long time.They look like rocks when they lie in water.The mahouts scrub,brush and rub their bodies with coconut husks.The playful little ones spray and splash water on each other.
The baby elephants below one year are the infants.Those between 1year and 5 years are calves.The male adults are bulls and the female adults are cows.
An infant drinks 5 litres of milk at a time.They are bottle fed five times a day.The adults eat fodder,coconut leaves,jac leaves and kitul trunks.You can spend hours and hours watching them.
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