A feature of the
Udawalawe Park is the Elephant Transit Home where shelter, food and security
are provided for the wounded, destitute or motherless baby elephants until they
are independent and able to fend for themselves in the jungle.[4]
Furthermore, the surrounding areas of Udawalawe is filled to
the brim with other illustrious attractions and tourist destinations. For
example, the Wavulpane Limestone caves and the hot wells, are all present in
the vicinity of the Udawalawe National Park. These factors contribute to the
enhancement of the overall brilliance and significance of Udawalawe as one of
the premier tourist destinations of Sri Lanka.[11]
.
Size / Area
Udawalawe national park spans 30,821 hectares [2]
The surface area of Udawalawe reservoir 3400ha[8]
Boundaries
West –
Kolambage aru, Pahanaduwa, Galpaya, Welanketiya
East – Maw
aru, Mountains of Wehaeragala and Bellangala
North –
Katupath Oya, Diyawini Oya
South –
Udawalawa – Thanamalwila Main road [12]
.
History
.
It was was
designated and established as the fifth national park of Sri Lanka , on 30th
June 1972 under the Fauna and Flora
Protection ordinance. [2]
The
Department of Wildlife Conservation opened the Elephant Transit Home Home in
October 1995. [4]
Before the
designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation
(chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was
declared.
The
mountainous area around Udawalawe retained denser populations but underwent
significant depopulation after the 1818 insurrection against the British. By
the time the British arrived, the Walawe basin was sparsely populated. Those
who lived in the area relied on the ancient tanks for water for domestic and
agricultural purposes, although most people in the area practiced
slash-and-burn agriculture
known locally as chena. In 1818, a Government Agent visited one of the main
villages and described it as a thick jungle area infested with malaria and
populated with only 18 persons [20][14]
Until the
extreme drought of 1866, which caused a high mortality and elicited strong
calls for the development of large-scale irrigation projects, the British had
only undertaken a few minor settlement and rehabilitation works on the ancient
tanks and anicuts in the Walawe basin (Steele 1867).
By the early 1940s, the British initiated more ambitious
plans for the Walawe River Basin Scheme. These development plans laid out
schematic “blue prints” for a large-scale irrigation and rural-development
project.[14]
Shortly after independence in 1948 the government
rehabilitated some ancient tanks and continued survey work and feasibility
studies for the Walawe basin scheme. Concurrently, other plans were developed
for the basin, envisioned a scheme composed of five dams, including Samanala
and Uda Walawe dams. In 1963, the Irrigation Department unveiled a plan for the
Uda Walawe reservoir based on design work by ECI that eventually became known
as the UWIRP. [14]
Ancient
History
Modern water
resources developments in the Uda Walawe basin are superimposed over a rich
history of water control and irrigation in the region. Archaeological studies
indicate that the Walawe river valley was populated several thousand years ago,
man’s settlement in the Balangoda city, which straddles the western boundary of
the Walawe river basin, and its surrounding valleys, date back to 6,500 B.C. [21][14].Pre
historical human skeletal parts which is believed to be 28000 years old have
been found from “Bellanbendipelessa” an area near Handagiriya.[2]
Sri Lankan
legends, as well as Valmiki’s Ramayanaya, report that King Ravana, who lived in
this area around 1500 BC and ruled part of Sri Lanka, resided in the Walawe
basin before departing to India to capture Rama.[19]
“Magama”,
an important city of the once powerful ancient
Ruhuna kingdom mentioned in the Mahawamsa as early as 246 B.C., was located in
the middle of the present UWIRP (Uda Walawe Irrigation and Resettlement Project)
project area. [22]
King
Dutugemunu (161–137BC) and King Walagamba (104–76 BC) developed paddy fields extensively
in the southeastern Sri Lanka, including anicut-based irrigation systems
upstream of Walawe. [23,24] In the Kandyan period (1524–1815) there
were also significant migration and settlement in the area (with the founding of
several temples).
“Kaltota”,
located 14
km southeast of the Balangoda town, was an ancient kingdom called “Kalathitha
Pura”, which developed in parallel to the Anuradhapura kingdom around the
second centuryBC [2,24]. The ruins of the ancient Buddhist temple
near Kaltota, “Budugala
Purana Rajamaha Viharaya” and “Kuragala
Purana Rajamaha Viharaya” show evidence of ancient civilization. According to the collection of old documents
of Sabaragamuwa Kaltota was the most developed city of Sabaragamuwa Province (Ghanawimala
1942). The area that lies between the Samanalawewa dam and the Kaltota
irrigation scheme, a few kilometers downstream, has yielded many ancient
artifacts. In particular, a unique wind-powered iron-smelting furnace was
unearthed, which used the high-velocity winds during the southwest monsoon
capable of producing high-quality steel that was supplied to the Islamic world
for sword-making from the third century BC to the twelfth century AD (Juleff
1996).
“Handagiriya”,
or
Sandagiriya, (ancient “Chandana Grama”) presently called Katupath oya gama and
located in the north-western corner of Uda Walawe National Park, was the center
of the ancient Kaltota kingdom. Also the historical book “Poojavaliya” says
Handagiriya is an ancient provincial kingdom and the area was abundant of
sandalwood trees. The ruins show evidence of many tanks that have functioned in
this area, out of which only five are still in use (Medhananda 1992). [19]
It is
believed that the basin was a prosperous area from the second century B.C. and
began to decline around the thirteenth century. Until the mid-twentieth
century, the population in the Walawe plain dwindled. In 1622, in the reign of
King Senarath, Kaltota was a storage village whose population had declined
drastically. [23, 24, 25] A number of factors likely influenced the
collapse of communities in the plains, including repeated attacks from enemies,
malaria [23, 24, 25] or the attraction of better opportunities in
the wet zone. [14]
 |
| Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya |
There are two historical places near to Udawalawe Park. One
is ‘Sankapala’ temple which was built at the stage of king Dutugemunu (161-137
BC), and the Bambaragala monastery. Folklore has it that Pussa Deva a warrior
of King Dutu Gemunu (161-131 BC) resided here. This is confirmed by the fact
that Pussa Devas name has been mentioned in the rock inscriptions. Pussa Deva
who played a prominent part in King Dutugemunu's wars was well versed in the art
of war and blowing the conch shell (‘Sanka’). Hence the emblem conch shell was
used to identify him. Further it is mentioned that later-on in life he was
ordained a monk and achieved the state of Rahath. However, owing to the evils
of nature this abode had been later abandoned. This place was resurrected again
and made a popular place of worship by Venerable Karathota Dharmarama during
the Kandyan period. It is learnt that King Rajadhi Rajasingha gifted Venerable
Dharmarama the village of Pallebedda for his good deeds. [13]
A folklore says that the mighty army commander of the king
Gajaba (113-135 AD), “Neela” who is born in a village near Walawe river, has built
up a dam across the river to make a tank for the wealth and development of the
valley. According to the history King Gajaba has rewarded 24 villages in
the Walawe river valley including present
“Ridiyagama” to “Neela” in appreciation of his victory against “Chola” (A south
Indian community).
Following is
an ancient Sinhala rhyme refers to tamed elephants, who were treated with the
respect due to a bodhisattva, who climbed from the sacred mountain, Śrī Pada
down to the Walawe River.
“Kande kaka
lande yana bosattu
Atha
minibenda paya minibenda jaya gaththu
Raja saben
sonda karuna lebagattu
Walawe gangata bessai gomara eththu”
Meaning
Ones with
noble qualities, feeding form mountain side and going towards the woods
The
victorious ones charmingly worn with ornaments
Who were
well treated by the royalty
They are the
tuskers getting down to the Walawe river
Physical features
Altitude of Udawalawe National Park ranges from about 100m
on the plains to the 373m at top of Ulgala (Sinhala: the pointed Rock), the
highest point within the park. The most topographical features are the Kalthota
Escarpment and the spectacular Diyawini Falls to the north and the the outcrops
of Bambaragala and Reminikotha lie within it. [10]
The soil and climatic conditions are responsible for
classified vegetation types. The predominant ecosystem of the park area is the
forest area with scattered grasslands and thorny-shrubs.
Extensive regions of tall grass, scrubs, as well as trees
are common sights at Udawalawe. mountainous and rocky areas are also not
uncommon. [2,11] Areas of open grassland are abundant as a result of
former chena farming practices. There is a plantation of teak beyond the
southern boundary, below the dam, which was planted before the declaration of
the park.[16]
Bio-diversity
Species recorded from the park include 94 plants, 21 fish,
12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds (33 of which are migratory), and 43
mammals. Additionally 135 species of butterflies are among the invertebrates
found in Udawalawe. [16]
Flora
The soil and climatic conditions are responsible for
classified vegetation types. The predominant ecosystem of the park area is the
forest area with scattered grasslands and thorny-shrubs.[2] Green algae, including Pediastrum
and Scenedesmus spp., and blue green algae species such as Microsystis,
occur in the reservoir. [16]
Uva Mandora (Hopea cordifolia), Memecylon
petiolatum, Erythroxylon zeylanicum, and Wild jasmine (Jasminum
angustifolium) are endemic floral species recorded from the park.
In the grasslands Panicum maximum / Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea
grass or green panic grass) and Imperata cylindrica (Spear grass)
(Sin. ‘iluk’) are important food sources for the elephants. [16] In
addition Cymbopogon confertiflours (Sin. “Maana”) and Grewia
tiliifolia (Sin. “Damina, Daminaa, Daminiya”) is common.
Satinwood (Sin. ‘Burutha’) (Chloroxylon swietenia),
Trincomalee wood (Sin. ‘Halmilla’) (Berrya cordifolia), (Sin. ‘iluk’) Ceylon
ebony (Diospyros ebenum) (Sin. ‘Kaluwara’) Adina cordifolia (Sin.
“Kolon”), Vitex pinnata (Sin. ”Milla”), Ceylon oak (Schleichera
oleosa) (Sin. “Kon”), and Bastard Ebony (Diospyros ovalifolia) (Sin.
“Kunumella”) are the common taller trees.[2]
While the remnants of the Teak plantations that were planted
at the time of the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir is scattered around,
Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna) and the Uva Mandora (Hopea cordifolia)
trees abound in the riverine areas.[2,7]Trees such as Satin, Ehala,
Lunumidella can also be found here.
Bahera also known as Beleric or bastard myrobalan (Terminalia
bellirica) (Sin. “Bulu”) and Goose berry (Phyllanthus emblica) (Sin.
“Nelli”) are plants of medicinal value found in the forest.[7]
Fauna
Elephants
Udawalawe National Park is undoubtedly, one of the best
places in Sri Lanka to see wild Asian Elephants throughout the year: there are
about 500 elephants in the park and they often roam in herds of up to 100. It
has no a seasonal variation in herds of elephants. The best hours to visit the
park are in the mornings and evenings. Late evening also affords the
photographic opportunities in the backdrop of loveliest sunsets.[7] But
this is very popular among visitor for elephants because, they can be observed
even at mid-day. Herds of elephants can be seen along the river during the dry
season which is usually between May and September. [2]
Other Mammals
Among the other attractions of the park, Water Buffalo (Bubalus
bubalus bubalus), Wild boar (Suscrofa chirstatus), Spotted Deer (Axis
axis ceylonensis), Sambur Deer (Cervus unicolor unicolor), Barking
deer (Muntiacus muntjak malabaricus) Jackal (Canis aureus lanka),
Black-naped hare, mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, the endemic Toque Macaque (Macaca
sinica sinica) Gray Langers (Semnopithecus entellus or Presbytis
entellus) and Thick-tailed Pangolin (Manis Crassicaudata) can be
seen.
Sighting Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus),
Leopard (Panthera pardus) and other smaller cats like Fishing cat (Felis
viverrina) (Kola Diviya), Rusty-spotted cat (Felis rubiginosa) &
Jungle cat (Felis chaus) would be a bonus. [2,7,9]
Other common mammals include Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus
hermaphroditus) and black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis) and the
endemic specie golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis). Also the rodents
like Ceylon spiny mouse (Mus fernandoni) (endemic specie recorded in
1989 nearly 50 years after the first record in Yala National Park in 1936) and
the Indian bush rat (Golunda ellioti) also seen here.
Butterflies
Nearly 50 species of butterflies reported in Udawalawe
National Park [2] . Satin trees attract beautiful butterflies like
Banded Peacock (Papilio crino), Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis),
Common Indian Crow (Euploea core) , and many species of ‘Yellows and
Whites’ like Common Mormon (Papilio polytes). In the riverine forest
areas Common Blue-bottle (Graphium sarpedon) are seen. [7]
Reptiles
While the crocodiles doze off on the banks of the reservoir,
the water monitor
lizards are abound in the park. The common species of
reptiles include Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), Asian Water Monitor
(Varanus salvator), Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris),
Oriented Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), and painted-lip lizard (Calotes
ceylonensis). There 30 species of snakes including Sri Lankan Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis
maculata) and many species of Sri Lankan vipers also reported.
[7, 11, 16]
Fish Species
Garra ceylonensis is an endemic fish species recorded in park. [2] Introduced Oreochromis spp., giant gourami, catla, and rohu are some fish species found in the reservoir. [16]
Bird Watching
Udawalawe National Park is again one of the most popular
places to see Raptors in Sri Lanka and afford excellent opportunities for
photography. Out of all the species of avifauna recorded in the park, in a
single day at Uda Walawe, a keen eye would sight no less than 100 species of
birds. Most of birds gather in large numbers around the tanks of Magam,
Habartu, Kiri ibban wewa, Pulgaswewa, Timbirimankada.
Endemic birds include the Ceylon Junglefowl (Gallus
lafayettii), Ceylon Spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata), Ceylon Green
Pigeon (Treron pompadora), Ceylon Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis),
Ceylon Woodshrike (Tephrodornis pondicerianus) Red faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus
pyrrhocephalus), Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus), and
Ceylon Swallow (Cecropis hyperythra).
Among the other bird species seen are Spot-billed Pelican
(Pelecanus philippensis), Asian
openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans), Little Cormorant (Microcarbo
niger), Black-headed ibis or Oriental white ibis (Threskiornis
melanocephalus), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) , Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola
grayii), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Large Egret (Ardea alba),
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx
intermedia), Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), Woolly-necked
Stork, Ciconia episcopus), blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Yellow-wattled
Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus), Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis), Crested
Tree-swift (Hemiprocne coronata), Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis),
Pied crested cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus), and Malabar pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros
coronatus).
In forested areas Sirkeer Malkoha (Sirkeer cuckoo) (Phaenicophaeus
leschenaultii) and Blue-faced Malkohas (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris)
are found. [7]
Birds of prey include, changeable hawk-eagle or crested
hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), crested serpent eagle (Spilornis
cheela), and Grey-headed fish eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus).z
During the migrant season of birds (Nov to March): Booted
Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus, also classified as Aquila pennata), White-bellied
Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), Common Kestral (Falco tinnunculus),
Harries, Rosy Starlings (Pastor roseus), Wood Sand Piper (Tringa glareola), Common
Sand Piper (Actitis hypoleucos), Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius
dubius), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida or Chlidonias
hybridus), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava), Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus
indicus) Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) and some of the rarely
seen migrants like Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) and White
wagtail (Motacilla alba), also observed in the park[2,7,11].
Climate
The park is situated in the dry zone. There is a short dry
period in February-March. Sometimes that period is prolonged from mid-May to
end of September. This is followed by Northeast monsoon rain in November to mid-January.
Due to conventional activity, the rainfall can occur during April-May. The mean
annual rainfall is about 1500mm. The annual average temperature is about 29.5 °
C and it can uniform throughout the year. [2]
Location & Access
Udawalawe national park is located approximately 180 km south-east
of Colombo city. The total travel (driving) time from Colombo to Udawalawe
National Park via Ratnapura is approximately four hours.
The easiest and quickest approach from Colombo is through
Rathnapura Pelmadulla on the Embilipitya road. At Thimbolketiya turn left and
Udawalwe junction to take the road to Thanamalwila. The entrance to Udawalawe
National Park is located nearly 11km away from Thanamalwila junction.
The main entrence to the park is situated at the Udawalawe,
Thanamalwila road about 11km from Udawalawe Junction, post between Timbolketiya
and Thanamanwila on Pelmadulla-Timbolketiya A18 road, which is southern
boundary of the park. [2]
Another entrance was opened at Handagiriya for Udawalawa
National Park on 30th October 2015.[1]
The Elephant Transit Home is on the main road about 5km west
of the Uda Walawe National Park entrance.
Map
....
Accomodation
Circuit bugalows provided by Department of Wildlife
Conservaton, Sri Lanka – Reserve online
- Gonawiddagala Bungalow
- Sinnuggala Bungalow
- Pokunuthenna Bungalow
- Weheragolla Tourist Bungalow
- Thimbiriyamankada Bungalow
Camp-sites in Udawalawe National Park
- Pranshadahara Camp Site
- Alimankada Camp Site
- Kaudulu Ara Campsite
- Pilima Ath Dara Campsite
Threats and Conservation
Clearing natural forests and planting monospecies cultures
such as pine and eucalyptus are causing reduced water levels in the Walawe
river.[2] Encroachment by human settlements, poaching, illegal
logging, gem mining, overgrazing and chena farming are major threats to the
park. Lantana camara and Phyllanthus polyphyllus are invasive
weeds affecting the food plants of the elephants. Occasions of elephants being
shot with illegal muzzleloader guns has been reported.[15]
The elephant-proof fence around the perimeter of the park
prevents elephants, roaming freely around the reserve from getting out of it to
attack the surrounding farmland. The fence also prevents the cattle, belonging
to the farmers of surrounding villages, from getting into the reserve.[8]
Elephant Transit Home (ETH) at Udawalawe National Park
Although you can’t get up close and personal with the
elephants, a visit at feeding time is still a lot of fun.
References
- (Sinhala) Senarathna, P.M. (2009). "Udawalawa". Sri Lankawe Jathika Vanodhyana (2nd ed.). Sarasavi Publishers. pp. 151–161. ISBN 955-573-346-5.
- http://www.dwc.gov.lk/library/Np_udawalawa.html
- http://www.srilankaecotourism.com/udawalawe_national_park.htm#readmore
- http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080330/FunDay/fd2.html
- http://www.island.lk/2002/01/20/news12.html
- http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/the-hill-country/udawalawe-national-park
- https://www.lanka.com/about/attractions/udawalawe-national-park/
- http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/uda-walawe-national-park.html
- Scientific Names of Mammals http://www.wildreach.com/reptile/animals/_mammals.php
- http://www.srilankabiggamesafaris.com/udawalawe-national-park.html
- For information in detail http://udawalawenationalpark.com/
- http://www.srisalike.com/Temple/Rathnapura/Sankapala%20Temple.aspx
- Economics and Politics of Water Resources Development, Uda Walawe Irrigation Project, Sri Lanka - François Molle and Mary Renwick – 2005
- http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090215/News/sundaytimesnews_27.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udawalawe_National_Park
- Scientific Names of Plants http://dh-web.org/bot2sinhala.html#G
- Scientific Names of Herbals http://www.instituteofayurveda.org/plants/plants_list.php?s=Scientific_name
- Anicut Systems in Sri Lanka: The Case of the Upper Walawe River Basin - François Molle, Priyantha Jayakody, Shyamalie de Silva – 2003
- Abeyratna L. B., ed. n.d. Ratnapura: As seen by Government Agents. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Department of the Government Printing.
- Deraniyagala, S. U. n.d. Early man and the rise of civilization in Sri Lanka: The archaeological evidence. Duplicated.
- Collins, C. H. 1932. The Archeology of the Sabaragamuwa Binthenne. Journal of Ceylon, Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 32(85): 158-183.
- Ghanawimala, Kiriella Rev. 1942. “Sabaragamuwe parani liyavili” ([Sinhalese] Old documents of Sabaragamuwa). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Jinadasa Press.
- Narada, Vekiliye Rev. 1992. History of Ratnapura. In Sabaragamu Udana 2, ed. Bandula Liyanage. Ratnapura, Sri Lanka: Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council.
- Ghanawimala, Kiriella Rev. 1967. Sabaragamu darshanaya ([Sinhalese] The philosophy of Sabaragamuwa). Ratnapura, Sri Lanka: Shasthrodaya Printers.
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