Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is the newest World Heritage Site
in Sri Lanka
. On 31 July 2010, the World Heritage Committee
holding its 34th session in Brasília
inscribed Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Papahānaumokuākea of Hawaii
as new World Heritage Sites. The site comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park
and the Knuckles Conservation Forest
. These are rain forests, where the elevation reaches 2500 metres (8,202.1 ft) above sea level. The region harbors a variety of mammal species including the Bear Monkey Trachypithecus vetulus monticola (a ssp. of Purple-faced Langur
) and the Horton Plains Slender Loris Loris tardigradus nycticeboides (a ssp. of Red Slender Loris
).
This is the first Sri Lankan World Heritage site to be designated in 22 years, since the Sinharaja Forest Reserve
was enlisted in 1988. Originally submitted for inscription as a mixed cultural and natural site, the Committee recognized only the natural values of the site.
s and 51 percent of the endemic vertebrates are restricted to this ecoregion. This ecoregion is inhabited by five strict endemic mammals and eight near-endemics. The ecoregion also harbors five strict endemic bird species and 20 near endemics. The site incorporates three protected areas;
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary is a sanctuary of 22380 hectare of land area, which has established in 25 October 1940. Horton Plains National Park adjoins the eastern boundary. Horton Plains National Park has been originally designated a nature reserve on 5 December 1969 later elevated to the national park status on 16 March 1988. Knuckles mountain range is situated to the northeast and its relict
, endemic flora and fauna is distinct from montane forest of central massif.
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. On 31 July 2010, the World Heritage Committee
World Heritage Committee
The World Heritage Committee establishes the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties...
holding its 34th session in Brasília
Brasília
Brasília is the capital city of Brazil. The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the...
inscribed Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Papahānaumokuākea of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
as new World Heritage Sites. The site comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. This region was designated a national park in...
and the Knuckles Conservation Forest
Knuckles Mountain Range
The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, north-east of the city of Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District...
. These are rain forests, where the elevation reaches 2500 metres (8,202.1 ft) above sea level. The region harbors a variety of mammal species including the Bear Monkey Trachypithecus vetulus monticola (a ssp. of Purple-faced Langur
Purple-faced Langur
The purple-faced langur , or purple-faced leaf monkey, is a species of Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka.This is a long-tailed arboreal species, mainly brown with a dark facemask and paler lower face...
) and the Horton Plains Slender Loris Loris tardigradus nycticeboides (a ssp. of Red Slender Loris
Red Slender Loris
The red slender loris is a small, nocturnal prosimian native to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. This is #6 of the 10 focal species and #22 of the 100 EDGE mammal species worldwide considered the most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. Two subspecies have been identified, L. t....
).
This is the first Sri Lankan World Heritage site to be designated in 22 years, since the Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO....
was enlisted in 1988. Originally submitted for inscription as a mixed cultural and natural site, the Committee recognized only the natural values of the site.
Sites
The Sri Lanka montane rain forests represent the montane and submontane moist forests above 1000 metres (3,280.8 ft) in the central highlands and in the Knuckles mountain range. Half of Sri Lanka's endemic flowering plantFlowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
s and 51 percent of the endemic vertebrates are restricted to this ecoregion. This ecoregion is inhabited by five strict endemic mammals and eight near-endemics. The ecoregion also harbors five strict endemic bird species and 20 near endemics. The site incorporates three protected areas;
- Peak Wilderness Sanctuary
- Horton Plains National ParkHorton Plains National ParkHorton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. This region was designated a national park in...
and - Knuckles Mountain RangeKnuckles Mountain RangeThe Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, north-east of the city of Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District...
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary is a sanctuary of 22380 hectare of land area, which has established in 25 October 1940. Horton Plains National Park adjoins the eastern boundary. Horton Plains National Park has been originally designated a nature reserve on 5 December 1969 later elevated to the national park status on 16 March 1988. Knuckles mountain range is situated to the northeast and its relict
Relict
A relict is a surviving remnant of a natural phenomenon.* In biology a relict is an organism that at an earlier time was abundant in a large area but now occurs at only one or a few small areas....
, endemic flora and fauna is distinct from montane forest of central massif.