National Sanctuaries in Sri Lanka

https://youtu.be/4-wNY-p9cDc 

You can watch how a Varanus (monitor) searches for food by clicking the link above.

                                         Famous Natural Sanctuaries in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, there are so many valuable ecosystems with high biodiversity. The Sri Lankan government needs to protect these valuable resources. So, about five decades ago the natural sanctuaries concept was established. Accordingly, a large number of lands are named sanctuaries and protected by the Sri Lankan government with the aid of the  Department of forest conservation. There are other organizations including the Central Environment Authority, The wildlife and nature protection society, and Rain forest protectors of Sri Lanka to help in this purpose.

Some people in the country go against these rules and regulations and do illegal things like cutting trees, hunting animals, and clearing the land to cultivate Cannabis sativa (ganja or marijuana)which is prohibited to cultivate in Sri Lanka. Some of the forest field officers have sacrificed their lives when they tried to prevent these illegal hunting (by poachers) and other unlawful acts.

The government allows people to visit these places and see natural beauty and if they need, can do research about the flora and fauna found there. But in most of these sanctuaries, there are government offices and managers for the management of the sanctuary and they charge some entrance fees from visitors.

There are about 70 sanctuaries found in Sri Lanka and here I am mentioning only about the sanctuaries which are highly attracted by both native people and tourists.

Some of them are given below.

 Yala sanctuary, (Ruhunu national sanctuary), Wilpaththu National sanctuary, Galoya National sanctuary, Horton plains, Minneriya National sanctuary, Udawalava National sanctuary, Wasgomuva National sanctuary, Maduru Oya National sanctuary.  Bundala National sanctuary, Kumana National sanctuary,

The paths you can use to reach these places are given below.

To Yala sanctuary: From Colombo to Matara, then to thissa maharamaya, Then to Kirinda, and to Palatupana where you get the main entrance.

To Wilpaththu sanctuary: From Colombo to Negambo – Chilaw- Puttland and via Thimbiriweva to the sanctuary.

To Galoya sanctuary: From Colombo to Kandy- Mahiyanganaya –Ampaara – Inginiyagala

To Minneriya National sanctuary: From Colombo to Kurunaagala- Habarana – On the pathway from Habarana to Polonnaruva. The office is at Ambagaswava.

Horton plains: Colombo – Nuvaraeliya- Ambewela –Pattipola.

Udawalava National sanctuary: Palmadulla-Ambilipitiya-Thimbolkatiya- Via Thanamalvila

Wasgamuva National sanctuary: Mahanuvara- Vilgamuva

Bundala National sanctuary: Colombo- Gall- Mathara-Hambanthota- Kirinda

Kumana National sanctuary: East of Yala sanctuary

MaduruoyaNationalsanctuary: 

 Colombo-Polonnaruwa-Manampitiya.

There are tourist bungalows also if you are willing to stay a night or two.

 Some of the economic and aesthetic value of Yala sanctuary.

  This is one of the oldest national sanctuaries in Sri Lanka. It is much famous in Sri Lanka and overseas. Because there are many beautiful Srilankan elephants. There are many other large mammals also. Dotted deer, leopards, wild buffaloes, wild pigs, and monkeys are some of them.

                                

 

a herd of wild boars

                           They like to live in herds. In one herd there are maybe 10 to 15 individuals. Wild boars are with short tusks. They can attack people using these. They like to rest in puddles which can be seen here and there. They are omnivores. They eat young leaves, grass, small rodents and dig the soil to find yams and roots.

                        

Dotted deer, Males with antlers.

These ungulates are vegetarians and easy prey of leopards. They are also live in herds. They can run fast to escape from carnivores. These dots simulates the light patches which come due to the sunlight

 Elephants are the keystone species of the forest. They make paths in the forest by clearing the shrubs, and other animals use those as their footpaths. Further, they use their tusks to dig and find water bodies in drought season and all the other animals depend on that water. So, they do a major role in an ecosystem to keep its balance. They can walk miles and miles without getting exhausted. They change their habitats from time to time. They travel from one forest ecosystem to another, which are miles away from each other.

 Some poachers kill the elephants with long tusks to get their tusks. Ivory carving is done by using tusks and making different ornaments that are more expensive. In Sri Lanka tusks are used as a symbol of power and sovereignty.

Drinking water in a  puddle

 A single elephant

      So many puddles and many large water bodies can be seen here and there in the rainy season, but in drought season elephants have to go searching for water and dig for water. Then other animals also use that water. In this way, they rescue the other animals.

 Peacock, the king of the birds. Now we're lucky to have this magnificent bird in our villages also. The male bird has very long tail feathers. These feathers are decorated with a colorful design. When the sun shines they make a dance by spreading their long feathers of the tail. But the female birds do not have such beautiful tail feathers. Some people consider this bird as a vehicle of the god, Skandha Kumara.

There are a considerable number of peacocks in the sanctuary. They cannot fly high. Live mostly on the ground and rarely fly onto the small shrubs. These are omnivores and feed on fruits, grains, flower petals, small insects, and mollusks.

A Peacock  with the folded tail feather

   

A  pelican

                      There are other birds like pelicans, kingfishers, and cranes who are like to live in swampy areas near water masses. They feed on fish, aquatic reptiles, and amphibians. 

In Kumana and Bundala sanctuaries there are large flocks of migratory birds. From April to June, thousands of migratory birds visit Kumana. Kumana is a swampy area and is a breeding ground for different bird species.

One of the vehicles used to travel in Yala sanctuary. Visitors have to hire a vehicle or two according to the number of visitors. Sometimes the path is narrow and muddy. But the drivers are skillful and take you a smooth aesthetic ride. Happy rides in Sri Lankan sanctuaries.

     A jeep, use to carry visitors.