About Sri Lanka - Bio Diversity

>> Sinharaja Rain Forest	>> Horton Plains
>> Royal Botanic Gardens - Peradeniya	>> Hakgala Botanic Gardens

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Sinharaja Rain Forest

Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forest in Sri lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west. The length of the forest is about 21km and width from North to South is about 3.7km. It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978,as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest Eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of it's International Network of Biosphere reserves. It was declared a National wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989. It is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of the country in the districts of Ratnapura, Galle and Matara. The average annual temperature of Sinharaja is 23.6 C. Annual rainfall is more than 2500mm. The rain fall is well distributed during two monsoons, May to July and October to December.

The vegetation of Sinharaja may be described either as a tropical lowland rain forest or tropical wet evergreen forest. Some striking characteristics of the forest are the loftiness of the dominant trees, the straightness of their bole, the abundance of regeneration and the diversity of species. Average height of the trees varies between 35m - 40m. Some individuals rise even up to 50m. The vegetation of Sinharaja is that of humid wet evergreen forest type with a high degree of endemism. In fact some families such as Dipterocarpaceae show an endemism more than 90%. The untapped genetic potential of Sinharaja flora is enormous.

The vegetation in the park provides a good example of dry zone vegetation in Sri Lanka. They can be broadly divided in to five categories. They are forest cover, sub forest, herbaceous cover, sand dune and costal vegetation. All vegetation types represents 280 species of trees and plants including many medicinal plants.

Out of the 211 woody trees and lianas so far identified within the reserve 139 (66%) are endemic. Similarly, high levels of endemism are perhaps true for the lower plants like ferns, epiphytes as well. Out of 25 general endemic to Sri Lanka 13 are represent in Sinharaja. The Total vegetation density, including trees, shrubs, herbs and seedlings has been estimated to be around 240,000 individuals per hectare, of which 95% comprise individuals of the ground layer bellow 1m in height. The density of trees, lianas above 30 cm girth at breast height, ranges between 600 - 700 individuals per hectare while the number of merchantable individuals of trees of girth grater than 150cm ranges between 45-55 individuals per hectare.

Studies on the fauna of Sinharaja have revealed that there is a high degree of endemism among the butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are greater than 50%. There have been reports of sightings of a few animals in the eastern secter. The most common deer species is the Sambhur The Monk deer and Barking deer are also found within the reserve. Leopards are very seldom sighted, but their frequent presence has been confirmed by tracks and other signs. Badger Mongoose and the Golden Palm Civet have been occasionally sighted. The most commonly seen primate is the Purple - faced Leaf Monkey. Although the elephants said to be common in the past, there have not been reports of sightings during the last 15 years.

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Horton Plains

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The Horton plains plateau is a sanctuary 2130 meters high offers you Sri Lanka’s most unforgettable views. Here the land plunges down a dizzy gorge to the southern foothills and on a clear day can see the glimpse of the sea more than 80 kilometers away. Many endangered montane species and endemic species can be seen here with the crystal clear water streams. Horton Plains are the habitat of giant rhododendron a flowering flora and kind of daffodils and orchids. You can see variety of birds such as Ceylon whistling thrush. The shaggy bear monkey and the blue Mormon butterfly listed with the endangered montane species. This is named as a sanctuary under the mist with the virginal landscaping which gives you the real smell of Sri Lankan climate, flora and fauna. Park consists of montane cloud forests embedded in wet montane grasslands. Horton Plains has rich bio diversity. Most of the fauna and flora found in the park are endemic and furthermore some of them are confined to highlands of the island. Forests are dominated by Calophyllum sp. & Syzygium sp. Giant tree fern Cyathea sp. and colourful Rhododrendron are among the main attractions. Park is also famous for beautiful flowers of endemic Nellu (Strobilanthes sp.), Bovitiya (Osbeckia sp.), Binara (Exacum trinervium) and many other orchid species. Endemic dwarf Bamboo (Arundinaria densifolia) dominates the edges of the river while Chrysopogon zeylanicum and Garnotia mutica dominate the grasslands.

Though this was one of the best elephant habitats in the country they are locally extinct due to poaching & sports hunting occurred during the British colonial era. Leopard and Sambhur & wild boar are the most common large mammals in Horton Plains. Endemic Bear Monkey, Rusty- Spotted and Fishing cats, Otter, Black napped hare and Giant Squirrel are among other mammals. Many species of endemic & threatened rats & shrews are also found in the park. Diversity & endemicity of reptiles (Lizards) and amphibians are remarkably high.
Though this is cold highland plateau the bird diversity is very high. More than 70% of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds are found here.

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Royal Botanic Gardens - Peradeniya

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The history of the Royal Botanic Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the thrown and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli river. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri from 1747 - 1780 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

A vihare and dagaba were built in the reign of King Wimala Dhamma which was improved by Kind Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The vihare and dogaba were destroyed by the English when they occupied Kandy. The famous historical battle of Gannoruwa between Rajasinghe II and the Portuguese was fought on the Northern side of the river. A priest resided here till the Gardens were formed by Mr Alexandar Moon in 1821 six years after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom.

In 1810 under the advice of Sir Joseph Banks a garden named Kew was opened in Slave island and Mr William Kerr was appointed as its Superintendent. In 1813 the garden was moved to Kalutara for the reception of economic plants which could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave island. Kerr died in 1814 and under the rule of his successor Mr Alexander Moon this Garden was finally moved to Peradeniya in 1821 as it was found to be favorable and better adapted for the proposed Botanic establishment. The transfer of exotics from the Kalutara Garden was made by successive Superintendents at least up to 1843.

During Moon's superintendent the opening of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, can be said to have commenced though at first only the South West portion of the Gardens was cleared and opened and it was mostly planted with cinnamon and coffee. Moon published his "Catalogue of Ceylon Plants" in 1824 in which was given the Botanical and native names of 1, 127 plants, indigenous to the island. After the appointment of Mr George Gardner in 1844 the institution started upon its more active independent and useful existence that it has since maintained. Only 40 acres of the 147 acres were in cultivation when Gardener took charge and the chief use made of the land was to grow jak, coconuts and vegetables for sale by the Government Agent in Kandy. Gardner effected many important improvements in the condition of the Gardens but his chief work was the exploration of the country for the collection and preparation of its flora. He died at Nuwara Eliya in 1849 and was succeeded by Dr Thwaites who for over 30 years maintained the Gardens in a high state of efficiency, added largely to our knowledge of the flora of the Colony and gave the establishment its worldwide reputation. Botanic Gardens at Hakgala was established in 1861 for introduction of Cinchona into the island and in 1876 Gampaha (Henarathgoda) Botanic Garden was started for the introduction of Rubber.

Thwaites was succeeded by Dr Henry Trimen, under whose rule and capable management the beauty and usefulness of the Gardens were very considerably advanced. He established the Museum of Economic Botany, opened branch Gardens at Badulla and Anuradhapura and began the publication of his work, "The Flora of Ceylon" which however was finished by Sir Joseph D. Hooker after Trimen's death in 1896. In 1896 Trimen was succeeded by Dr J.C. Willis and from that date a new extension of scientific work took place. In the early years work was mainly directed towards the introduction and acclimatization of useful and ornamental plants but in later years activities developed towards Economic, Botany and Agriculture and led to the development of the Department of Agriculture in 1912. Mr H.F. Macmillan who was appointed Curator in 1895, was made the Superintendent of Botanic Gardens in 1912 and Mr T.H. Parsons the Curator in 1914. During Macmillan's superintendent the Gardens were improved and extended and his great work "a Hand Book of Tropical Planting and Gardening" was published. Macmillan retired in 1925 and Mr T.H. Parsons continued as curator till 1945.

 

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Hakgala Botanic Gardens

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Botanic garden at Hakgala is the second largest gardens in Sri Lanka situated in salubrious environment near the capital city of the hill country. It provides charm and cold atmosphere with picturesque beauty by its own landscape and many blooms seen in various sections in garden. It enhances natural beauty by small water steams run across the garden and wooden bridges built over them. The main reason caused to establish the garden at Hakgala was cultivation and promotion of Cinchona, a tree of commerce in Sri Lanka. The garden was established in 1861 with the auspices of Mr G.H.W. Thawaites then director of Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya and M.R. W. MacNichholl was the pioneer curator of the gardens.

Later, the garden was used for experimentation of tea cultivation in up country and then garden was developed to a botanical direction since Mr William Nock was appointed as a curator in 1884. Many sub tropical and some temperate plants were introduced and planted in the gardens.

It was recorded in the legend of Sri Lanka, Many thousands years ago, a famous king of Ceylon Ravana whose name is remembered in connection with the epic love story with Sita, a beautiful queen of India, made a pleasure gardens in the region where the Hakgala garden spreads today. The king Ravana brought queen Sita, a famous female character descried in eastern here and kept hidden in the area vicinity to the botanic.

Seeds of several kinds of Cinchona meinding C. Micrantha, C. Nitida were received Through Sir clements markham from south Amarica. These were followed later by seeds of Cinchona Succirubra seeds of other speaen including Cinchona officinalis were planted in 1868 gerdens Hakgala. The area was named as Sita Eliya in Queen Sita and a Hindu temple was built near she was hidden.

Garden Curators

• 1861 - 1866 W. Mac Nico
• 1861 - 1866 W. Mac Nico
• 1868 - 1881 E.J Thwaites
• 1882 - 1904 W. Nock (supt)
• 1904 - 1909 J.K Nock (Lamonted deatn occurred on 13.12.1900)
• 1911 - 1940 J.J. Nock
• 1940 - 1956 Ranasingha
• 1956 - 1960 D.T Ekanayaka (Asst.Supt)
• 1961 - 1972 S.B. Tennakoon

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