Somawathiya National Park
Encyclopedia
Somawathiya National Park is one of the four national park
s designated under the Mahaweli River development project. Somawathiya Chaitya, a stupa
said to be containing a relic of the tooth of the Buddha
, is situated within the park. The park was created on 2 September 1986, having been originally designated a wildlife sanctuary on 9 August 1966. The park is home to many megaherbivores
. The national park is located 266 kilometres (165.3 mi) north-east of Colombo
.
flood plains
of the Mahaweli River and contains the junction where it is forked into two branches. The two branches are the Mahaweli River, which flows north into Koddiyar bay and the lesser Verugal Oya which flows north-east into the sea. The central riparian flood plain is featured by many old river channels and contain dispersed 'villus', the waterfilled basins around among the grassy plains. There are 20 such villus is located in the park. Somawathiya and Flood plains national parks are important protected areas for the wetland system of Mahaweli River flood plains. The high quality habitat of fertile alluvial underlying layer supports a plentiful wildlife.
was named after Princess Somawathi, the sister of King Kavan Tissa
, and the wife of regional ruler Prince Abhaya. The prince Abhaya build the stupa to enshrine a relic of the tooth of the Buddha
, which was in the possession of Arahat Mahinda
, and named the stupa after the princes. The park is one of the four national parks set aside under the Mahaweli River development project. The other three national parks being Maduru Oya
, Wasgamuwa and Flood plains
. Somawathiya is contiguous with Flood Plains National Park and Trikonamadu Nature Reserve. Hurulu Forest Reserve
, a part of which is a biosphere reserve is linked by the western arm of the park.
s. The distribution of floral species in the villus shows a pattern, which is related to the period of inundation
and the depth of flooding. On the edges, where wet conditions are temporary and with mild levels of flooding, there are creeping grasses such as Cynodon dactylon
. Further towards the centre of the villus where the flooding is lengthier and truly hydrophytic species such as Alternanthera sessilis
, Polygonum
spp., Jussiaea repens
, Ipomoea aquatica
, Monochoria hastata, and Scirpus grossus appear. The most widespread grass species include Hygroryza aristata, Brachiaria mutica, Echinochloa colonum
, Paspalum vaginatum, Digitaria longiflora, and Paspalidium
spp. In a little deeper water, floating aquatic plants occur along with Nelumbo nucifera
. Still in deeper water an association of manel Nymphaea stellata
and the submerged aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demersum
present. Some floating plants are common in all zones of the villus. Some tree species occur in the edges of the villus are Terminalia arjuna
, Madhuca longifolia
, Barringtonia asiatica
, Mitragyna parviflora, Erythrina variegata
, and Hibiscus tiliaceus. In the northern region of the park, the forest trees teeming with species such as Drypetes sepiaria, Berrya cordifolia
, Diospyros ovalifolia, Dimorphocalyx glabellus, Pterospermum canescens, Manilkara hexandra
and Mitragyna parviflora.
Elephas maximus estimated at about 400 within the protected area and adjacent surroundings and the rich avifauna. Although a recent 2007 study shows a much less herd of elephants in Somawathiya, 50-100 of individuals. Other notable mammalian species include jackal
Canis aureus, Fishing Cat
felis viverrina, Rusty-spotted Cat
felis rubiginosa, leopard
Panthera pardus, wild boar Sus scrofa, sambar Cervus unicolor, Water Buffalo
Bubalus bubalis, Porcupine Hystrix indica, and Black-naped hare
Lepus nigricollis.
The flood plain marshes are rich with avifauna. Around 75 migrant species to winter in the marshes. Usual migrants include garganey
Anas querquedula, Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper
T. glareola, Pintail Snipe
Gallinago stenura, Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybridus, and Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa. Resident birds are Painted Stork
Ibis leucocephala, Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans, Little Egret
Egretta garzetta, Cattle Egret
Bubulens ibis, Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii, Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio porphyrio, White Ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalus, and Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus. Within the forest area the following birds are seen, Crimson-fronted Barbet
Megalaima haemacephala, Common peafowl
Pavo cristatus, Malabar Pied Hornbill
Anthracoceros coronatus, Thick-billed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum agile, Common Iora
Aegithina tiphia, Junglefowl
Gallus lafayetii, and Golden-fronted Leafbird
Chloropsis aurifrons. While Barred Buttonquail
Turnix suscitator frequents the open areas, marshy northern area is visited by Woolly-necked Stork
Ciconia episcopus, crested hawk eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus, Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis, Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela, and Painted Stork
Ibis leucocephala.
and high carrying capacity
of the villus. Both Flood Plains National Park
and Somawathiya National Park are excessively important for migratory and resident waterfowl
. In general, the park has been much neglected. Although an overall systems plan is in place for protected areas within the Mahaweli Region. Until the area was incorporated into the Mahaweli Environment Project was unmanaged and unprotected to a great extend. The forests of the area have been cleared for cultivation, following the move in of the tobacco cultivators with their cattle. Tobacco cultivators enters annually with several heads of cattle. Deforestation
has been more extensive since the mid 1970s. Illegal logging
, tobacco cultivation and grazing
by cattle was scheduled to reduce gradually with the declaration of the 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 designated under the Mahaweli River development project. Somawathiya Chaitya, a stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
said to be containing a relic of the tooth of the Buddha
Relic of the tooth of the Buddha
The Sacred Relic of the tooth of Buddha is venerated in Sri Lanka as a relic of the founder of Buddhism.-The relic in India:...
, is situated within the park. The park was created on 2 September 1986, having been originally designated a wildlife sanctuary on 9 August 1966. The park is home to many megaherbivores
Megafauna
In terrestrial zoology, megafauna are "giant", "very large" or "large" animals. The most common thresholds used are or...
. The national park is located 266 kilometres (165.3 mi) north-east of Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
.
Physical features
Somawathiya National Park lies in the deltaicRiver delta
A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...
flood plains
Floodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
of the Mahaweli River and contains the junction where it is forked into two branches. The two branches are the Mahaweli River, which flows north into Koddiyar bay and the lesser Verugal Oya which flows north-east into the sea. The central riparian flood plain is featured by many old river channels and contain dispersed 'villus', the waterfilled basins around among the grassy plains. There are 20 such villus is located in the park. Somawathiya and Flood plains national parks are important protected areas for the wetland system of Mahaweli River flood plains. The high quality habitat of fertile alluvial underlying layer supports a plentiful wildlife.
History
The historic Somawathiya Chaitya is located on the left bank of the Mahaweli River. The stupaStupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
was named after Princess Somawathi, the sister of King Kavan Tissa
Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna
Kavan Tissa, also known as Kavantissa, Kaka Wanna Thissa, was the king of the Kingdom of Ruhuna in the southern part of Sri Lanka. He ruled Ruhuna, in the same time as Keleni Tissa of Maya Rata and the usurping Tamil king of Anuradhapura, Elara of South India, expanding and beautifying the city,...
, and the wife of regional ruler Prince Abhaya. The prince Abhaya build the stupa to enshrine a relic of the tooth of the Buddha
Relic of the tooth of the Buddha
The Sacred Relic of the tooth of Buddha is venerated in Sri Lanka as a relic of the founder of Buddhism.-The relic in India:...
, which was in the possession of Arahat Mahinda
Mahinda
Mahinda was a Buddhist monk depicted in Buddhist sources as bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka. He was the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.- Historical Sources :...
, and named the stupa after the princes. The park is one of the four national parks set aside under the Mahaweli River development project. The other three national parks being Maduru Oya
Maduru Oya National Park
Maduru Oya National Park is a national park of Sri Lanka, established under the Mahaweli development project and also acts as a catchment of the Maduru Oya Reservoir. The park was designated on 9 November 1983. Providing a sanctuary to wildlife, especially for elephants and protecting the immediate...
, Wasgamuwa and Flood plains
Flood Plains National Park
Flood Plains National Park is one of the four national parks set aside under the Mahaweli River development project. The park was created on 7 August 1984. The national park is situated along the Mahaweli flood plain and is considered a rich feeding ground for elephants...
. Somawathiya is contiguous with Flood Plains National Park and Trikonamadu Nature Reserve. Hurulu Forest Reserve
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...
, a part of which is a biosphere reserve is linked by the western arm of the park.
Flora
The waterfilled basins in the central flood plain are featured by the richness and predominance of the water-tolerant grasses and aquatic plantAquatic plant
Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments. They are also referred to as hydrophytes or aquatic macrophytes. These plants require special adaptations for living submerged in water, or at the water's surface. Aquatic plants can only grow in water or in soil that is...
s. The distribution of floral species in the villus shows a pattern, which is related to the period of inundation
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
and the depth of flooding. On the edges, where wet conditions are temporary and with mild levels of flooding, there are creeping grasses such as Cynodon dactylon
Cynodon dactylon
Cynodon dactylon , also known as Dūrvā Grass, Bermuda Grass, Dubo, Dog's Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Devil's Grass, Couch Grass, Indian Doab, Arugampul, Grama, and Scutch Grass, is a grass native to north and east Africa, Asia and Australia and southern Europe...
. Further towards the centre of the villus where the flooding is lengthier and truly hydrophytic species such as Alternanthera sessilis
Alternanthera sessilis
Alternanthera sessilis is an aquatic plant known by several common names, including sessile joyweed and dwarf copperleaf. It is used as an aquarium plant.The plant occurs around the world....
, Polygonum
Polygonum
Polygonum is a genus in the Polygonaceae family. Common names include knotweed, knotgrass, bistort, tear-thumb, mile-a-minute, and several others. In the Middle English glossary of herbs "Alphita" , it was known as ars-smerte. There have been various opinions about how broadly the genus should be...
spp., Jussiaea repens
Ludwigia hexapetala
The Water Primrose, Ludwigia hexapetala, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Onagraceae. Native to Central and South America, its habitat includes the margins of lakes, ponds, ditches, and streams. Its stems may be immersed or fully emergent. It is a noxious invader of aquatic ecosystems...
, Ipomoea aquatica
Ipomoea aquatica
Ipomoea aquatica is a semi-aquatic tropical plant grown as a leaf vegetable. It is known in English as Water Spinach, Water Morning Glory, Water Convolvulus, or by the more ambiguous names "Chinese spinach" and "swamp cabbage". It has many other names in other languages, such as "Phak bung" in Thai...
, Monochoria hastata, and Scirpus grossus appear. The most widespread grass species include Hygroryza aristata, Brachiaria mutica, Echinochloa colonum
Echinochloa colona
Echinochloa colona is a type of wild grass originating from tropical Asia. It was formerly classified as a type of panicum grass.-Usage:...
, Paspalum vaginatum, Digitaria longiflora, and Paspalidium
Paspalidium
Paspalidium is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.-External links:*...
spp. In a little deeper water, floating aquatic plants occur along with Nelumbo nucifera
Nelumbo nucifera
Nelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae...
. Still in deeper water an association of manel Nymphaea stellata
Nymphaea nouchali
Nymphaea nouchali, commonly known as the Red and blue water lily, Blue star water lily, Star lotus, or by its synonym Nymphaea stellata, is a water lily of genus Nymphaea.-Distribution and habitat:...
and the submerged aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demersum
Ceratophyllum demersum
Ceratophyllum demersum is a species of Ceratophyllum. It is a submerged, free-floating aquatic plant, native to North America but nowadays having a cosmopolitan distribution in temperate and tropical regions...
present. Some floating plants are common in all zones of the villus. Some tree species occur in the edges of the villus are Terminalia arjuna
Terminalia arjuna
Terminalia arjuna is a tree of the genus Terminalia.-Description:...
, Madhuca longifolia
Madhuca longifolia
Madhuca longifolia, commonly known as mahwa or mahua, is an Indian tropical tree found largely in the central and north Indian plains and forests. It is a fast-growing tree that grows to approximately 20 meters in height, possesses evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, and belongs to the family...
, Barringtonia asiatica
Barringtonia asiatica
Barringtonia asiatica is a species of Barringtonia native to mangrove habitats on the tropical coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean from Zanzibar east to Taiwan, the Philippines, Fiji, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia...
, Mitragyna parviflora, Erythrina variegata
Erythrina variegata
Erythrina variegata is a species of Erythrina native to the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, northern Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean east to...
, and Hibiscus tiliaceus. In the northern region of the park, the forest trees teeming with species such as Drypetes sepiaria, Berrya cordifolia
Berrya cordifolia
Berrya cordifolia is a species of tree native to much of Southeast Asia and introduced to Africa. It occurs in the forests of Christmas Island....
, Diospyros ovalifolia, Dimorphocalyx glabellus, Pterospermum canescens, Manilkara hexandra
Manilkara hexandra
Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the Sapotaceae family that is native to much of south Asia Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the Sapotaceae family that is native to much of south Asia Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the...
and Mitragyna parviflora.
Fauna
The importance of ecology of the park is due mainly to the wide occurrence of elephantsAsian Elephant
The Asian or Asiatic elephant is the only living species of the genus Elephas and distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m....
Elephas maximus estimated at about 400 within the protected area and adjacent surroundings and the rich avifauna. Although a recent 2007 study shows a much less herd of elephants in Somawathiya, 50-100 of individuals. Other notable mammalian species include jackal
Golden Jackal
The golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
Canis aureus, Fishing Cat
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN classified the fishing cat as endangered since they are concentrated primarily in wetland habitats, which are increasingly being settled, degraded and converted...
felis viverrina, Rusty-spotted Cat
Rusty-spotted Cat
The Rusty-spotted Cat is the cat family's smallest member and found only in India and Sri Lanka. It has been listed as Vulnerable by IUCN in 2002 as the total effective population size is below 10,000 mature individuals, with a declining trend due to habitat loss, and no subpopulation containing...
felis rubiginosa, leopard
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
Panthera pardus, wild boar Sus scrofa, sambar Cervus unicolor, Water Buffalo
Water Buffalo
The water buffalo or domestic Asian water buffalo is a large bovine animal, frequently used as livestock in southern Asia, and also widely in South America, southern Europe, northern Africa, and elsewhere....
Bubalus bubalis, Porcupine Hystrix indica, and Black-naped hare
Indian Hare
The Indian Hare , also known as the Black-naped Hare, is a common species of hare found in South Asia. and in java....
Lepus nigricollis.
The flood plain marshes are rich with avifauna. Around 75 migrant species to winter in the marshes. Usual migrants include garganey
Garganey
The Garganey is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in much of Europe and western Asia, but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to southern Africa, India Santragachi and Australasia in winter, where large flocks can occur. This species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758...
Anas querquedula, Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper
The Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to central Asia....
Tringa stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
The Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola, is a small wader. This Eurasian species is the smallest of the shanks, which are mid-sized long-legged waders of the family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
T. glareola, Pintail Snipe
Pintail Snipe
The Pin-tailed Snipe, Gallinago stenura, also known as the Pintail Snipe, is a small stocky wader. It breeds in northern Russia and migrates to spend the non-breeding season in southern Asia from Pakistan to Indonesia. It is the most common migrant snipe in southern India, Sri Lanka and much of...
Gallinago stenura, Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern
The Whiskered Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in size and minor plumage details....
Chlidonias hybridus, and Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
The Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa, is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the Limosa genus, the godwits...
Limosa limosa. Resident birds are Painted Stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
Ibis leucocephala, Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans, Little Egret
Little Egret
The Little Egret is a small white heron. It is the Old World counterpart to the very similar New World Snowy Egret.-Subspecies:Depending on authority, two or three subspecies of Little Egret are currently accepted....
Egretta garzetta, Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret
The Cattle Egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the Western Cattle Egret and the Eastern Cattle Egret...
Bubulens ibis, Pond Heron
Indian Pond Heron
The Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird is a small heron. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Iran and east to India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They are widespread and common but can be easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies or even when they roost...
Ardeola grayii, Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is a jacana in the monotypic genus Hydrophasianus. Jacanas are a group of waders in the family Jacanidae that are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, their preferred habitat...
Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Purple Gallinule
Purple Swamphen
The Purple Swamphen , also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Pūkeko or Purple Coot, is a large bird in the family Rallidae . From its name in French, talève sultane, it is also known as the Sultana Bird...
Porphyrio porphyrio, White Ibis
Black-headed Ibis
The Black-headed Ibis or Oriental White Ibis is a species of wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae which breeds in South Asia and Southeast Asia from Pakistan to India, Sri Lanka east up to Japan...
Threskiornis melanocephalus, and Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
The Black-winged Stilt or Common Stilt is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family . Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize...
Himantopus himantopus. Within the forest area the following birds are seen, Crimson-fronted Barbet
Crimson-fronted Barbet
Crimson-fronted Barbet or Ceylon Small Barbet or Small Barbet is an Asian barbet endemic to Sri Lanka. The Malabar Barbet endemic to the Western Ghats of India used to be treated as a subspecies of this species. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical...
Megalaima haemacephala, Common peafowl
Indian Peafowl
The Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl is a large and brightly coloured bird of the pheasant family native to South Asia, but introduced and semi-feral in many other parts of the world...
Pavo cristatus, Malabar Pied Hornbill
Malabar Pied Hornbill
The Malabar Pied Hornbill is a hornbill. Hornbills are a family of tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World....
Anthracoceros coronatus, Thick-billed Flowerpecker
Thick-billed Flowerpecker
The Thick-billed Flowerpecker is a tiny bird in the flowerpecker group. They feed predominantly on fruits and are active birds that are mainly seen in the tops of trees in forests...
Dicaeum agile, Common Iora
Common Iora
The Common Iora is a small passerine bird found across the tropical Indian Subcontinent with populations showing plumage variations, some of which are designated as subspecies. A species found in scrub and forest, it is easily detected from its loud whistles and the bright colours...
Aegithina tiphia, Junglefowl
Sri Lanka Junglefowl
The Sri Lankan Junglefowl , also known during the colonial era as the Ceylon Junglefowl, is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is the national bird. It is closely related to the Red Junglefowl , the wild junglefowl from which the chicken was domesticated...
Gallus lafayetii, and Golden-fronted Leafbird
Golden-fronted Leafbird
The Golden-fronted Leafbird is a species of leafbird. It is a common resident breeder in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia. It often includes the Sumatran Leafbird from Sumatra as a subspecies, but the two differ extensively in, among others, morphology.Its habitat is forest and scrub...
Chloropsis aurifrons. While Barred Buttonquail
Barred Buttonquail
The Barred Buttonquail or Common Bustard-Quail is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails...
Turnix suscitator frequents the open areas, marshy northern area is visited by Woolly-necked Stork
Woolly-necked Stork
The Woolly-necked Stork or White necked stork , Ciconia episcopus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It can also be known as the Espiscopos....
Ciconia episcopus, crested hawk eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus, Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae.Grey-headed Fish Eagle breeds in southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka to Southeast asia...
Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Pied Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
The Pied Kingfisher is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Their black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish makes it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a...
Ceryle rudis, Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela, and Painted Stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
Ibis leucocephala.
Conservation
Although the park area has been greatly exploited once the human activity is removed the regeneration will be quick, because of the moistureMoisture
Humidity is the amount of moisture the air can hold before it rains. Moisture refers to the presence of a liquid, especially water, often in trace amounts...
and high carrying capacity
Carrying capacity
The carrying capacity of a biological species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water and other necessities available in the environment...
of the villus. Both Flood Plains National Park
Flood Plains National Park
Flood Plains National Park is one of the four national parks set aside under the Mahaweli River development project. The park was created on 7 August 1984. The national park is situated along the Mahaweli flood plain and is considered a rich feeding ground for elephants...
and Somawathiya National Park are excessively important for migratory and resident waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
. In general, the park has been much neglected. Although an overall systems plan is in place for protected areas within the Mahaweli Region. Until the area was incorporated into the Mahaweli Environment Project was unmanaged and unprotected to a great extend. The forests of the area have been cleared for cultivation, following the move in of the tobacco cultivators with their cattle. Tobacco cultivators enters annually with several heads of cattle. Deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
has been more extensive since the mid 1970s. Illegal logging
Illegal logging
Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission or from a protected area; the cutting of protected species; or the...
, tobacco cultivation and grazing
Grazing
Grazing generally describes a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants , and also on other multicellular autotrophs...
by cattle was scheduled to reduce gradually with the declaration of the park.