Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the
central highlands of Sri Lanka. It surrounds, forests and the adjoining Peak
Wilderness constitute Sri Lanka’s most important catchment area of almost all
major rivers including the braches of Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe. The
‘plains’ themselves form an undulating plateau over 2000m high from sea level,
covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky
outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes.
Size / Area
The entire extent of the park is nearly 3160 hectares.
[3]
Boundaries
North –
Thotapla Kanda, Pattipola
South –
World’s end, Mohora & Nonpareil estate,
East – Ohiya
West –
Kirigalpotta Kanda, Peak Wilderness [11]
History
The great plains of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka was discovered by the planter Thomas Farr in the early 19th century. In 1834 it was named Horton Plains in honor of the 7th Governor of Ceylon (1831-1837) Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, after he visited there, and by his order [5]. In the year 1969, Horton Plains was declared a nature reserve. In 1988, the reserve was elevated to the status of a National Park. [1]
Past History
In ancient days Horton place was known as Maha Eliya Thenna
(මහ එළිය තැන්න -
"great open plain) or “Mahaweli Thenna” because a main branch of
the river “Mahaweli” , the “Agra oya” is commencing form this area. It was
called “Hortan Plains” with the English Invasion of the up country.
Rumors says king Ravana, because of the humiliation of “Shurpanakha”
his sister by the king Rama, has kidnapped the wife of Rama, “Sita” and hidden
her in a cave locted in western Horton Plains. In the supposed area, caves can
be seen that are carved with ‘’kataram” (linear groove carved on the top of the overhanging rock to
prevent rain water dripping into the cave).[11]
The stone tools and fossils found form archeological
excavations suggests that there were dwellings of prehistoric humans.[12]
Physical features
This is the highest plateau in Sri Lanka Located in a height
of 2100-2300 meters from sea level. On
the southern edge of the Horton Plains at an altitude of 2140m is famous
World’s End, an escarpment that fall sheer 900 meters. The man-made modern
irrigation reservoir contained within the national park of Udawalawe brings in
a lovely view of the low lying plains of the southern Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s
second- and third-highest mountains, Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola (2359m)
[5].
It has small size reservoirs and the waterfalls like Baker’s
fall (20m height), and 1km north to this is “Galpara” fall.
 |
| Mini World's end |
.
Bio-diversity
The plains are of outstanding scenic beauty and conservation
importance, containing most of the habitats and endemic plants and animals. The
rich biodiversity of Horton Plains is still grossly underexplored. It is a very
important location for holding four eco-systems; the primary evergreen mixed
forest (which is fast becoming a rarity in Sri Lanka), wet grasslands, marshes
and riverine habitats. Acres of grassland dotted with islands of short and
sturdy trees where herds of sambur grazing leisurely is a common sight. The
western slopes support the most extensive area of montane cloud forest
surviving in the island.
Flora
A tufty grass called Chrysopogon covers the grasslands,
while marshy areas are home to copious bog moss (sphagnum) Utricularia sp.,
Aponogetous Jacobsenii and the bamboo species like Chimanobambusa
Densifolia are on either sides of lakes.
Out of 57 plant species identified in Hortan Plains 29 is
endemic to Sri Lanka. The species of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Ovalitolium),
“karan damba” (Syzygium Revolutum), umbrella-shaped, white-blossomed “keena”
(Calophyllum Walkevi) stand as the main canopy over montane forest
areas. The stunted trees and shrubs are draped in lichen and mosses. Another
notable species is “maha rath mal” (Rhododendron arboreum and Rhododendron
zeylanicum), which has blood-red blossoms. The poignant purple-leafed Strobilanthes
blossoms once after five years, and then dies.
A whitish lichen called ‘Old Man Beard’ (Usnea barbata)
which is hanging down, adds another attraction to the trees.. Out of
32 species of Orchid found in Horton plains 16 is endemic to Sri Lanka. [4,5]
Fauna
The vertebrate fauna of the region includes 24 species of
mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of
amphibians. [7]. The Sri Lankan elephant disappeared from the region
in the 1940s at the latest. Hortan plains is the only park in Sri Lanka where
large herds of sambars (Cervus unicolor unicolor) can be seen in at
once. It harbors a community of 1500 sambars. There are also mouse deers (Traggulus
meminna), barking deers (Muntiacus muntjak malabaricus)(weli muwa), few leopards (Panthera pardus fusca),
and wild boar (Suscrofa chirstatus) about, but you'd be very lucky to
see the boar or leopard. The shaggy bear monkey (Trachypithecus veulus
monticola) (or purple-faced langur) is sometimes seen in the forest on the
Ohiya road, and occasionally in the woods around World’s End (listen for a
wheezy grunt). You may also find the endemic toque macaque (Macaca sinica
sinica).
16 – 20 species of amphibians and reptiles found in the park
among them are Microhyla zeylanica, Ramanella palmata, Fejervarya greenii,
Rana gracilis, Philautus alto, Philautus femoralis, Philautus frankenbergi,
Philautus microtympanum, Philautus schmarda, and Polypedates eques. Famous
Herpetologist Mr. Anslem De Silva has observed six endemic reptiles from the
plains. They are Calotes nigrilabris, rhino horn lizard, Cophotis
ceylanica, Lankascincus taprobanensis, common rough-sided snake (Aspidura
trachyprocta), and rat snake (Ptyas mucosus maximus). [8]
Two fish species found in the park, common carp and rainbow
trout; both are introduced species.[9] Horton Plains is also home to
many endemic crustaceans including Caridina singhalensis and Perbrinckia
species. The endemic freshwater shrimp Caridina singhalensis is found
only in streams that have a temperature of less than 15 degrees C and is now
restricted to only a stretch of 10 km of one stream.[10]
Bird watching
The area is popular with birdwatchers. Horton Plains
contains 21 bird species which are endemic to Sri Lanka including the
yellow-eared bulbul, the fan-tailed warbler, the ashy-headed babbler, the
Ceylon hill white-eye, the Ceylon blackbird, the Ceylon white-eyed arrenga, the
dusky-blue flycatcher Sri Lanka spurfowl, Sri Lanka junglefowl, yellow-fronted
barbet, orange-billed babbler, Sri Lanka bush warbler, Sri Lanka whistling-thrush and the Ceylon blue
magpie. Birds of prey include the mountain hawk-eagle, black-winged
kite, and peregrine falcon. Another four species, Sri Lanka blue magpie,
dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, and Sri Lanka wood pigeon, occur
only in Horton plains. [4,7]
Climate
Horton plain belongs to the central wet zone of Sri Lanka. Annual
rainfall is around 3000-5000 mm. It spreads throughout the year with a
relatively dry period in January and February. Slight darkness with mist is a common in the rainy season. Mean annual temperature is about 27 0C
in day time which falls to 5 0C in the night. Snowflakes can be seen
over the grasslands in the moths of February and March [5]. Wind
speeds may reach 10-15 km/hour in June an 3-5 km/hour in April.
Location & Access
Horton Plains is about 200 km East of Colombo and 1,800 to 2,300 feet above sea level. It spread over the southern ridge of the central highlands in between Nuwara-Eliya and Haputale. One can approach via,
- Nuwara Eliya, Meepilimana, Kande Ela, Ambewela and Pattipola
- Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Rendapola, Ambewela, Pattipola
- Welimada, Boralanda, Ohiya
- Dick oya, Agarapathana, Dayagma
- Balangoda, Belihuloya, Kalupahana, Bambarakanda falls
3 kilometers drive from Pattipola entrance or 5km drive from Ohiya entrance leads to the Maha-Eliya wild life bungalow.
Road 4 is currently closed and can be used under special permission. If you enjoy adventures, although the road is narrow and not under good condition there is short southern subsidiary road to access World's end, under special permission across Nonpareil estate. (Sinhala article).Another non-popular road to hike across forest like areas is Bogawanthalawa, Galagama waterfall route.
Map
...
Accomodation
Accomodation provided by Department of Wildlife Conservaton, Sri Lanka – Reserve online
Therats
A sad sight seen 15-20 years before, the sambur who were
used to eat leftovers thrown out by visitors were dying. Now the situation has
changed thanks mainly to the relevant authorities who have taken correct steps
to conserve this wonderful gift of nature. A strong barricade secures the
entrance preventing the passage of polythene and alcohol as well as the
unlawful intruding of influential persons. But the activities like illegal gem
mining, poaching and forest fires are reported to taking place. [2]
An eco-friendly bag made out of cotton and jute was
introduced to the visitors of Horton Plains. Since the use of polythene inside
the park is prohibited, visitors sometimes find it difficult to carry food and
other stuff they wish to use during their journey. It is available at at Rs.
100 or loan/rent one for their journey at Rs. 20.
References
- http://www.tropicalceylon.com/horton-plains-national-park.html
- http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2002/04/21/fea11.html
- (Sinhala) Senarathna, P.M. (2005). Sri Lankawe wananthara (1st Ed.). Sarasavi publishers. ISBN 955-573-401-1.
- http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/the-hill-country/horton-plains-national-park-and-worlds-end/sights/parks-gardens/horton-plains-national-park
- (Sinhala) Senarathna, P.M. (2009). Sri Lankawe Jathika Wanodyana (2nd Ed.). Sarasavi publishers. ISBN 955-573-346-5.
- (Scientific Names) http://www.wildreach.com/reptile/animals/_mammals.php
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horton_Plains_National_Park#Fauna
- de Silva, Anslem (March 2007). The Diversity of Horton Plains National Park (with special reference to its herpetofauna). Vijitha Yapa Publishers. pp. 273+xiv. ISBN 978-955-1266-61-5.
- http://web.archive.org/web/20100805010613/http://dw.iwmi.org/wetland_profile/Horton.asp
- de Silva, KHGM (1982). "Aspects of the ecology and conservation of Sri Lanka's endemic freshwater shrimp Caridina singhalensis.". Biological Conservation 24 (3): 219–231.doi:10.1016/0006-3207(82)90059-3.
- (Sinhala) Sri Lankawe Wananthara- Sarath Ranaweera (1st Ed.).Wasana publishers.(ISBN-955-655-160-3)
- (Sinhala) Sri Lankawe Wana Sampath - Muditha Prannajith Perera (2013)(1st Ed.). Ariya publishers.(ISBN-978-955-553-691-2)
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