Location: Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces Map
Area: 30,821 ha
Open: 6:30am- 6:30pm
Udawalawe National Park is located in Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in South Sri Lanka. Udawalawe National Park covers an area of 30,821 ha and protects fauna that was forced to abandon their homes after their traditional lands were drowned by Udawalawe reservoir constructed on the Walawe River. National park is inhabited by leopards, Sambar deer, Asian elephants. buffalo and many other species of mammals. The entrance to park costs about USD $12.
Udawalawa National Park straddles the wet and dry zones of Sri Lanka. The terrain ranges from plains to rugged hills. The Kalthota mountain range and Diyawini Falls are located to the north of the park, along with Bambaragala and Reminikota. The average annual rainfall is 500 milliliters (59 inches), with the highest rainfall occurring from October to January and from March to May. The mean annual temperature is about 27–28 degrees Celsius (81–82 degrees Fahrenheit) and the relative humidity is 70% to 82%. Well-drained reddish-brown soils are predominant among the less-draining gray soils found at the bottom of the valley.
Marshes, grasslands and forests around the reservoir are their native land. The dead trees in the reservoir tell the details of the forest that existed before the construction of the dam. Different types of alga plants Pediastrum and Scenedesmus spp. There are many open grasslands due to ancient hay farming. Below the fork, you can see a teak plantation on the south bank. This was planted before the park was declared. There are 94 plant species, 21 fish species, 12 fish species, 33 species of reptiles, 184 species of birds (33 migratory species) and 43 species of mammals have been recorded. In addition to this, 135 species of butterflies have also been found.
Hopea cordifolia, Memecylon petiolatum, Erythroxylon zeylanicum, and Jasminum angustifolium are among the endemic plants among the plant community found in Udawala. Hopea cordifolia along with Terminalia arjuna, Panicum maximum and Imperata cylindrica are found along the river and are good sources of food for elephants. Chloroxylon swietenia, Berrya cordifolia, Diospyros ebenum, Adina cordifolia, Vitex pinnata, Schleichera oleosa, and Diospyros ovalifolia are common tall plants. Terminalia bellirica and Phyllanthus emblica plants in this forest are of medicinal value. Cymbopogon confertiflorus grasses and Grewia tiliifolia shrubs are common in grasslands.
. Udawalawa National Park is an important habitat for
Sri Lanka's elephants that live in diverse habitats. A large herd of
more than 250 elephants live in this park near their permanent habitats,
so many elephants are attracted to this park. Udawalawa Elephant
Migration Home was established in 1995 to take care of abandoned baby
elephants. After reaching the appropriate age, eight baby elephants were
released twice in 1998 and 2000 and another eight baby elephants were
released into the park in 2002.
The Rusty-spotted Cat, Fishing
Cat and Sri Lankan Leopard are members of the family currently living in
Udawalawe National Park. The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is rarely seen due to
its rarity. Other mammals include Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan
Axis Deer, Indian Muntjac, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain, Wild Boar and
Water Buffalo. Golden Jackal, Asian Palm Civet, Toque Macaque, Tufted
Gray Langur and Indian Hare are also home to this park. A 1998 study
found that significant numbers of Golden Palm Civets inhabit this
forest. Five species of rats have also been recorded from this forest.
The endemic Ceylon Spiny Mouse found in Yala National Park was also
reported from Udawalawa in 1989. Indian Bush Rat and 3 species of
mongooses have also been recorded from the National Park.
Udawalawa is also a good area for bird watching. Resident breeding birds include Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Brown-capped Babbler, and Sri Lanka Junglefowl. White Wagtail and Black-capped Kingfisher are rare migratory birds. Cormorants, the Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Openbill, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis and Eurasian Spoonbill are also visited by various species of waterfowl. Divergent park areas attract birds such as White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent-eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Booted Eagle, and Changeable Hawk-eagle to the park. Ground birds including Indian Roller, Indian Peafowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Pied Cuckoo are abundant.
30 species of lizards, crocodiles, vipers and snakes have been found in the park. Garra ceylonensis is an endemic fish found in the park.
Destruction of natural forests has led to the depletion of pine and camphor species in the Wala River. Human settlement, poaching, gem mining, illegal encroachment, over-grazing and hain farming are major threats to the park. Lantana camara and Phyllanthus The weed polyphyllus has become a threat to elephants' food plants. There have also been reports of elephants being shot due to illegal gun ties.
In the six months ending August 2009, the park generated revenue of 18.2 million. Between 1994 and 2001, about 423,000 people visited the park, of which 20% were foreigners. The average annual revenue for the period 1998-2001 was 280,000 European dollars. Stamps bearing the portraits of four Udawalawa wild animals were issued on 31 October 2007 under the theme "National Parks of Sri Lanka".