Udawalawe National Park: Sanctuary of Diversity and Wonder
Udawalawe National Park, straddling the boundary of Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, is a breathtaking testament to nature’s resilience and beauty. Established on June 30, 1972, this park spans 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) and serves as a sanctuary for wildlife displaced by the creation of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. This park is not only a haven for diverse species but also a crucial protector of the reservoir’s catchment area.
Historical Background
Before its designation as a national park, the land was used for shifting cultivation, known locally as chena farming. After the park’s establishment, these farming practices were phased out to preserve the ecosystem. Located 165 kilometers (103 miles) from Colombo, Udawalawe has become a vital habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants, making it a major tourist attraction and the third-most visited park in the country.
Physical Features
Udawalawe lies at the intersection of Sri Lanka’s wet and dry zones, dominated by plains with occasional mountainous regions. Notable features include the Kalthota Range, Diyawini Falls, and outcrops like Bambaragala and Reminikotha. The park receives an annual rainfall of 1,500 millimeters (59 inches), primarily during October-January and March-May, with temperatures averaging 27-28 °C (81-82 °F) and relative humidity ranging from 70% to 83%. The soil varies from well-drained reddish-brown to poorly drained low humic grey soils and alluvial soils along watercourses.
Ecology
The diverse habitats around the Udawalawe Reservoir include marshes, the Walawe River and its tributaries, forests, and grasslands. Dead trees in the reservoir are stark reminders of the forest cover before the dam’s construction. Algae such as Pediastrum and Scenedesmus spp., and blue-green algae like Microsystis, thrive in the reservoir. Open grasslands, a legacy of chena farming, are abundant. Beyond the southern boundary lies a teak plantation, established before the park’s creation. The park hosts 94 plant species, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds (including 33 migratory species), and 43 mammals, alongside 135 butterfly species.
Flora
Endemic floral species include Hopea cordifolia, Memecylon petiolatum, Erythroxylon zeylanicum, and Jasminum angustifolium. Along the river, Terminalia arjuna and Hopea cordifolia thrive, while grasses like Panicum maximum and Imperata cylindrica provide vital food for elephants. Taller trees include Chloroxylon swietenia, Berrya cordifolia, Diospyros ebenum, Adina cordifolia, Vitex pinnata, Schleichera oleosa, and Diospyros ovalifolia. Medicinal plants like Terminalia bellirica and Phyllanthus emblica are common, with Cymbopogon confertiflorus grass species and Grewia tiliifolia bushes prevalent in grasslands.
Mammals
Udawalawe is renowned for its large herds of Sri Lankan elephants, particularly drawn to the reservoir. Approximately 250 elephants are believed to be permanent residents. The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, established in 1995, cares for abandoned elephant calves until they are ready to return to the wild. The park also shelters the rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat, and Sri Lankan leopard. Other mammals include the Sri Lankan sloth bear, Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, Indian muntjac, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain, wild boar, water buffalo, golden jackal, Asian palm civet, toque macaque, tufted grey langur, and Indian hare. A study in 1989 revealed significant populations of golden palm civets and recorded five mouse species, including the endemic Ceylon spiny mouse. Indian bush rats and three mongoose species are also present.
Birds
A birdwatcher’s paradise, Udawalawe hosts endemics like the Sri Lanka spurfowl, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, brown-capped babbler, and Sri Lanka junglefowl. Rare migrants include the white wagtail and black-capped kingfisher. Water birds frequenting the reservoir include cormorants, spot-billed pelicans, Asian openbills, painted storks, black-headed ibises, and Eurasian spoonbills. Birds of prey, such as the white-bellied sea eagle, crested serpent-eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, booted eagle, and changeable hawk-eagle, are commonly seen. Land birds like the Indian roller, Indian peafowl, Malabar pied hornbill, and pied cuckoo are also plentiful.
Reptiles and Fish
The park’s reptilian residents include oriental garden lizards, painted-lip lizards, mugger crocodiles, Asian water monitors, Bengal monitors, and 30 snake species. The endemic fish species Garra ceylonensis, alongside introduced species like Oreochromis spp., giant gourami, catla, and rohu, thrive in the reservoir.
Udawalawe National Park is a testament to the beauty and diversity of Sri Lanka’s natural world, offering a sanctuary for a multitude of species and a breathtaking destination for nature lovers.
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