Protected areas of Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
Protected areas of Sri Lanka are administrated by Department of Forest Conservation
and Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka
.There are 501 protected areas in Sri Lanka. The protected areas falls under supervision Department of Forest Conservation include forests defined in National Heritage Wilderness Area Act in 1988, forest reservations and forests manage for sustainability
. World heritage site
, Sinharaja Forest Reserve
is an example for a National Heritage forest. There are 32 forests categorized as conservation forests including Knuckles Mountain Range
. Strict nature reserve
s, national park
s, nature reserves, forest corridors and sanctuaries recognized under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance are managed by Department of Wildlife Conservation. Total of all categories of areas protected is 1,767,000 ha. Protected areas in Sri Lanka accounts for 26.5 percent of total area. This is a higher percentage of protected areas than in all of Asia and much of the World.
and endemism in Sri Lanka
are quite high. Of 3,210 flowering plants belonging to 1,052 genera, 916 species and 18 genera are endemic. All but one of Sri Lanka's more than 55 dipterocarp (Sinhalese "Hora") are found nowhere else in the world. Sri Lanka's amphibian diversity is only becoming known now. Sri Lanka may be home to as many as 140 species of amphibians. More than 50 known freshwater crab
s are confined to Sri Lanka.
. Many other data and published literature were also incorporated into the analysis, notably data on Important Bird Area
s collected by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
. Nearly all of these KBAs lie in the wet zone in south western part of the country. These areas considered irreplaceable because all sites contain endemic species that found nowhere else, with some of them harboring more than 100 globally threatened species.
The flora and fauna of Sri Lanka are heavily understudied. For instance Serendib Scops Owl
was described and nine other bird species added to the list of endemics only in 2004. Thus the number of endemic species is likely to be a gross underestimate.
There are four biosphere reserves declared under UNESCO
's Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme. Those are Bundala
, Hurulu
, Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) and Sinharaja
. Apart from these international biosphere reserves there are national biosphere reserves being designated. Thirty-three are administrated by Department of Forest conservation and another four by Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Source:
Source:
declared under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme.
In the sanctuaries protection of habitat and allowing of human activities occur simultaneously. Permission is not required for entry to these lands.
Source:
Department of Forest Conservation
The Department of Forest Conservation is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Sri Lanka. Its mission is to protect and expand Sri Lanka's forests and woodlands. The head of the department is the Conservator General, M.P.A.U.S. Fernando...
and Department of Wildlife Conservation of 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...
.There are 501 protected areas in Sri Lanka. The protected areas falls under supervision Department of Forest Conservation include forests defined in National Heritage Wilderness Area Act in 1988, forest reservations and forests manage for sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
. World heritage site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, 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....
is an example for a National Heritage forest. There are 32 forests categorized as conservation forests including Knuckles Mountain Range
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...
. Strict nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
s, national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s, nature reserves, forest corridors and sanctuaries recognized under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance are managed by Department of Wildlife Conservation. Total of all categories of areas protected is 1,767,000 ha. Protected areas in Sri Lanka accounts for 26.5 percent of total area. This is a higher percentage of protected areas than in all of Asia and much of the World.
Biodiversity
Plant diversityBiodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and endemism 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...
are quite high. Of 3,210 flowering plants belonging to 1,052 genera, 916 species and 18 genera are endemic. All but one of Sri Lanka's more than 55 dipterocarp (Sinhalese "Hora") are found nowhere else in the world. Sri Lanka's amphibian diversity is only becoming known now. Sri Lanka may be home to as many as 140 species of amphibians. More than 50 known freshwater crab
Freshwater crab
There are around 1,300 species of freshwater crabs, distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics, divided among eight families. They show direct development and maternal care of a small number of offspring, in contrast to marine crabs which release thousands of planktonic larvae. This limits...
s are confined to Sri Lanka.
Deforestation
Between 1990 and 2000, Sri Lanka lost an average of 26,800 ha of forests per year. This amounted to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.14 percent . Between 2000 and 2005 this accelerated to 1.43% per annum.Conservation effort
92 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) have been identified through a process coordinated by the Wildlife Heritage Trust and University of PeradeniyaUniversity of Peradeniya
The University of Peradeniya is a world renowned state university in Sri Lanka, funded by the University Grants Commission...
. Many other data and published literature were also incorporated into the analysis, notably data on Important Bird Area
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
s collected by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, commonly abbreviated FOGSL, is the Sri Lankan affiliate of BirdLife International. It was founded in 1976 to promote the conservation of birds and preservation of the environment...
. Nearly all of these KBAs lie in the wet zone in south western part of the country. These areas considered irreplaceable because all sites contain endemic species that found nowhere else, with some of them harboring more than 100 globally threatened species.
The flora and fauna of Sri Lanka are heavily understudied. For instance Serendib Scops Owl
Serendib Scops Owl
The Serendib Scops Owl is the most recently discovered bird of Sri Lanka. It was originally located by its unfamiliar poo-ooo call in the Kitulgala rainforest by prominent Sri Lankan ornithologist Deepal Warakagoda. Six years later, it was finally seen by him on 23 January 2001 in Sinharaja, and...
was described and nine other bird species added to the list of endemics only in 2004. Thus the number of endemic species is likely to be a gross underestimate.
Forest reserves and Proposed reserves
A number of forest reserves and proposed reserves are managed by Department of Forest Conservation. These areas are ecosystems with rich biodiversity. Some of the forest reserves and proposed reserves include- Bambarabotuwa
- Beraliya proposed reserve
- Dellawa proposed reserve
- Delwala
- Gilimale-Erathna
- Kalugala
- Kekunandura
- Kombala-Kottawa
- Malambure
- Morapitiya Runakanda
- Mulatiyana
- Nahitimukalana proposed reserve
- Oliyagankele
- Rammala Kanda
- Viharakele
- Yagirala
Biosphere reserves
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
's Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme. Those are Bundala
Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of Birds, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo, which migrate in large flocks. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a...
, Hurulu
Hurulu Forest Reserve
Hurulu Forest Reserve of Sri Lanka was designated as a biosphere reserve in January 1977. The forest reserve is an important habitat of the Sri Lankan Elephant. Hurulu forest reserve represents Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests. There are many other protected areas situated around Hurulu...
, Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) and Sinharaja
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....
. Apart from these international biosphere reserves there are national biosphere reserves being designated. Thirty-three are administrated by Department of Forest conservation and another four by Department of Wildlife Conservation.
National protected areas
Depending on their objectives National protected areas are classified into mainly six types. The first four categories of protected areas cover all the ecological and regions of Sri Lanka. The 5, 6, 7 categories were introduced in 1993 by amending the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. However there are no regions declared under these categories so far.- Strict nature reserveNature reserveA nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
s - National parkNational parkA national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s - Nature reserveNature reserveA nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
s - Jungle corridorsWildlife corridorA wildlife corridor or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities . This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity that often occur within...
- Refuge
- Marine reserveMarine reserveFor the United States Marine Corps Reserve see: Marine Forces ReserveA marine reserve is an area of the sea which has legal protection against fishing or development. This is to be distinguished from a marine park, but there is some overlap in usage...
s - Buffer zones
- Sanctuaries
Strict nature reserves
Human activities are restricted in SNRs and they are protected as a pure natural system. Researches are allowed under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife Conservation staff and with the prior approval of the director.| Protected area | Area | Date of declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Hakgala Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve is one of the three strict nature reserves in Sri Lanka, the only one in the wet zone. The reserve is an important although isolated cloud forest which supports a number of faunal species including some endemics. The area was designated a strict nature reserve on 25... |
1,141.6 | |
| Yala Yala National Park Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Actually it consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names also, like Ruhuna National Park for the block 1 and Kumana National Park or... |
28,904.7 | |
| Ritigala | 1,528.1 | |
Source:
National parks
National parks are areas allowed for the public to see and study wildlife. However necessary rules and regulations are introduced to protect wildlife and their habitats.Nature reserves
Wildlife viewing and studying is restricted in these areas. Similar to Strict nature reserves scientific researches are encouraged under the supervision of Department of Wildlife Conservation staff. These areas differ from strict nature reserves by allowing traditional human activities to continue.| Protected area | Area | Date of declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Triconamadu | 25,019.3 | |
| Riverine | 824.1 | |
| Minneriya Minneriya Minneriya is a small town in Sri Lanka, and is famous for two things , for the great Minneriya lake build by King Mahasen and for the Minneriya National Park which is a hot spot for safari lovers because of the abandons of Elephants... -Girithale |
||
| II block | 1,923.6 | |
| III block | 4,745.3 | |
| IV block | 8,335.5 | |
| Wetahirakanda | 3,229 | |
Source:
Jungle corridors
The only jungle corridorWildlife corridor
A wildlife corridor or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities . This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity that often occur within...
declared under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme.
Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries ensure the protection of wildlife of private lands which outside the state claim.In the sanctuaries protection of habitat and allowing of human activities occur simultaneously. Permission is not required for entry to these lands.
| Protected area | Area | Date of declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Chundikulam | 11,149.1 | |
| Wilpattu Wilpattu National Park Wilpattu National Park is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka... North |
632 | |
| Telwatta | 1,424.5 | |
| Weerawila-Tissa Tissamaharama Tissamaharama is a town in south-eastern Sri Lanka. It used to be the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century B.C. Only few buildings from that period can still be seen today. The large artificial Tissa Wewa lake, which was a part of a sophisticated irrigation... |
4,164.2 | |
| Katagamuwa | 1,003.6 | |
| Polonnaruwa Polonnaruwa The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader.-History:While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa... |
1,521.6 | |
| Tangamale | 131.5 | |
| Mihintale Mihintale Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka... |
999.6 | |
| Kataragama Kataragama Kataragama is a pilgrimage town popular with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The town has Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio... |
837.7 | |
| Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Anuradhapura, , is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic... |
3,500.5 | |
| Udawatta Kele Sanctuary Udawatta Kele Sanctuary Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, often spelled as Udawattakele, is a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city of Kandy. During the days of the Kandyan kingdom, Udawatta Kele was known as "Uda Wasala Watta" in Sinhalese meaning, "the garden situated above the royal palace". The sanctuary is... |
104 | |
| Rocky Islets | 1.2 | |
| Peak Wilderness Sanctuary | 22,379.1 | |
| Kurulu Kele (Kegalle Kegalle Kegalle is a town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. It is located on the Colombo - Kandy road. Its 48 miles/78 km away from Colombo and 24 Miles/40 km away from Kandy. It is the Capital City of the Kegalle District which is one of the two districts belonging to Sabaragamuwa province... ) |
113.3 | |
| Pallemalala | 13.7 | |
| Welhilla Kategilla | 134.3 | |
| Kokkilai Kokkilai Kokkilai or Kokilai or Kokkulaay is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 40 km south-east of the District capital Mullaitivu. It is a coastal town, located next to Kokkilai lagoon, it is also close to Trincomalee District border.- See also :* 1985 Kokkilai... |
1,995 | |
| Senanayake Samudra | 9,324 | |
| Gal Oya North-East | 12,432 | |
| Gal Oya South-East | 15,281 | |
| Giant's Tank | 4,330.1 | |
| Vavunikulam Vavunikulam Vavunikulam is a village in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka, and is located about west of Mankulam. It's actual name is Bavanikulam. It contains a dam that provides water to paddy fields in the region. It is also located less than from the small towns of Mallavi and Thunukkai... |
4,856.2 | |
| Sakamam | 616.4 | |
| Padawiya Tank | 6,475 | |
| Naval Headworks Sanctuary | 18,130 | |
| Great Sober Island | 64.7 | |
| Little Sober Island | 6.5 | |
| Kimbulwana Oya | 492.1 | |
| Mahakanadarawa Wewa | 519.3 | |
| Madhu Road | 26,677 | |
| Seruwila-Allai | 15,540 | |
| Paretitivu Island | 97.1 | |
| Honduwa Island | 8.5 | |
| Buddhangala | 1,841.3 | |
| Ravana Falls Ravana Falls The Ravana Falls is a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately in high and cascade from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop... |
1,932 | |
| Medinduwa | 0.8 | |
| Kalametiya lagoon | 2,525.2 | |
| Sri Jayawardenapura birds sanctuary | 449.2 | |
| Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe | 42,087.3 | |
| Maimbulkanda - Nittambuwa | 25.1 | |
| Parapuduwa Nuns' Island | 189.6 | |
| Kahalla-Pallekele | 21,690 | |
| Sigiriya Sigiriya Sigiriya is a large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures... |
5,099 | |
| Bellanwila-Attidiya | 372 | |
| Bar Reef Bar Reef The Bar Reef is a system of coral reefs just offshore from Sri Lanka's Kalpitiya peninsula. It has the greatest biodiversity of any coral reef in the waters around India and is one of the few pristine coral reef systems in Sri Lanka.... |
30,669.9 | |
| Nimalawa | 1,065.8 | |
| Madunagala | 995.2 | |
| Muthurajawela block I | 1,028.6 | |
| Muthurajawela block II | 256.8 | |
| Anawilundawa | 1,397 | |
| Elahera-Girithale | 14,035.2 | |
| Dahaiyagala | 2,685.1 | |
| Tabbowa | 2,193.3 | |
| Rumassala | 170.7 | |
| Kiralakele | 310 | |
| Eluwiliyaya | 186 | |
| Kaudulla-Minneriya | 8,777.3 | |
| Kirama | 45.7 | |
| Kudumbigala | 6,533.9 | |
| Rekawa | - | |
| Godawaya | - | |
| Bundala - Wilmanna | 3,339.4 | |
| Maduganga Maduganga River The Maduganga river is a shallow water body in south-west Sri Lanka, which enters the sea at Balapitiya.The Buddhist Amarapura Nikaya sect had its first upasampada on a fleet of boats anchored upon it in 1803... |
2,300 | |
| Bogahapitiya (proposed) | ||
Source: