Funday Times

National Parks Of Sri Lanka
Wasgomuwa National Park
Wasgomuwa National Park stands unique among the National Parks in Sri Lanka as the only National Park in the Central Province where one could see elephants in their natural habitats.

Bounded by the rivers, Mahaweli from the eastern boundary, Amban from western and northern boundaries, Wasgomuwa National Park provides diverse micro habitat for fauna and flora, This National Park lies in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa.

Part of Wasgomuwa National Park was declared as a Strict Natural Reserve in 1938 and the adjoining section was declared as a Intermediate Zone in 1945.

Clearing of vast stretches of forest with the accelerated Mahaweli Development Project deprived the wildlife of its homeland and restricted them to this panoramic stretch of land. Consequently, the said two areas, along with some additional land was brought together into one unit and was declared as Wasgomuwa National Park in 1984 mainly for the purpose of biodiversity conservation.

Historical significance
There is historical evidence that this area had been inhabited by man during the ancient Sinhala kingdoms in BC. Giant canal of Kalinga (Kalinga Yodha Ela) built in the reign by king Parakramabahu in the 12th century and the remains of Malagamuwa, Wilmitiya. Wasgomuwa and Dasthota tanks bear witness to the past prosperity of the area. Kalinga Island (Kalinga Duwa) too is an interesting place to visit .

Kadurupitiya Dagoba, Buduruwayaya Buddha Statue, Malagamuwa Stone Pillars and other ruins also bear witness to the past glory of the area.

Yudanganapitiya where the armies camped during the battle of Kings Dutugemunu and Elara is yet another place of historical importance within the Wasgomuwa National Park

Access to Wasgomuwa
Turn off at Hasalaka on the Kandy Mahiyangana Road and proceed via Wilgomuwa upto Was- gomuwa. Visitors from Matale and Polonnaruwa areas can reach Wasgomuwa via Laggala and Wilgomuwa. The Wilgomuwa Japan bridge provides the easy access to visitors coming from the Mahaweli system-C.

Colombo-Wasgomuwa
via Kandy - 225km
From Hasalaka - 45km
From Wilgamuwa (Hettipola)
-16 km
From Laggala - 32km

Physical features
This National Park spreads over 39.322 hectares of land area. The average temperature is about 28° C without prominent fluctuations. The annual rainfall varies from 1,650 mm to 2,100 mm.
Rivers and streams which traverse this Park are fed by waters which cascade down the picturesque Sudu Kanda (white mountain) which is approximately 470 meters above sea level. Soil in most areas of the Park is reddish brown or alluvial deposits and rich in minerals such as Khondalite, quartz and marble.

Fauna and flora
The National Park vegetation consists of primary forests, secondary forests; Riverine forests, scrublands and grasslands. Twenty three (23) species of mammals in Sri Lanka have been reported from this park. The most important of them is the wild elephant, the population of which is approximately 150. In addition, one could see the wild buffaloes grazing in the grasslands and spotted deer roaming in the open areas. Occasions where one comes across a Leopard or a sloth bear are not rare. There are also Water Monitors and crocodiles roaming very often in the water holes within the Park.

Of the 428 species of birds reported to be found in Sri Lanka, 143 species are found in this Park. Out of them 8 species are said to be endemic to Sri Lanka and among them are Red faced Malkoha and Ceylon Jungle Fowl which sings early in the morning. The presence of many species of birds flocking to the dead trees in and around the tanks and water holes in the early morning and a few hours before the sun sets, enhance the natural beauty of the Park. More important species are Lesser Adjutant. Yellow Fronted Barbet and Ceylon Spur Fowl. Another rare bird reported to have been seen here is Ceylon Frogmouth .

Eight species of amphibians have been reported to live in this park and among them is endemic and endangered Slender Wood Frog . Seventeen (17) species of reptiles are reported from this area and five of them are endemic. Among the endemic reptiles is endangered Skink. The lizards like Red lipped lizard and Earless lizard, are also found here. Dangaradanda, a reptile inhabiting this area is also a common sight inside the park.

Seventeen (17) species of fish are found in the reservoirs within the area and among them are endemic Stone Sucker and Combtail . While 50 species of butterflies are found in various locations in the Park, out of which 9 of them are endemic.

This Park is home for diverse species of plants and its vegetation is common to many Natural Reserves in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. In the field studies, 150 species have been identified and among them Athi Udayan and Bin Kohomba are important medicinal plants. The diverse micro habitats and the availability of food and water, enhance the presence of herbivorous animals around the vicinity of tanks and forest enclaves in river basins.

The most prominent trees are Satinwood, Palu ,Neralu ,Vellan, Ebony, Goda Kirala, Panakka, MilIa, Veera and Halmilla . The lower strata consists of trees such as Ulkenda, Yakadamaran alias Dikvenna, Woodapple, Rathuwa, and Nelu . In addition there are species of grass such as llluk,Pohon, Andropogan monticola, Chlorophytum laxum and Eragrostis viscosa.

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