Horton Plains National Park

Coordinates: 6°48′N 80°48′E / 6.800°N 80.800°E / 6.800; 80.800
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Horton Plains National Park
හෝර්ටන් තැන්න ජාතික උද්‍යානය
World's End, a sheer precipice within the park
Map showing the location of Horton Plains National Park
Map showing the location of Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park
LocationCentral province, Sri Lanka
Nearest cityOhiya and Nuwara Eliya
Coordinates6°48′N 80°48′E / 6.800°N 80.800°E / 6.800; 80.800
Area3,160 ha (12.2 sq mi)
Established1969 (Nature reserve)
1988 (National park)
Governing bodyDepartment of Wildlife Conservation
World Heritage site2010 (within the site Central Highlands of Sri Lanka)[1]
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
UNESCO World Heritage Site
CriteriaNatural: ix, x
Reference1203
Inscription2010 (34th Session)
Area56,844 ha
Buffer zone72,645 ha

Horton Plains National Park (Sinhala: හෝර්ටන් තැන්න ජාතික උද්‍යානය, romanized: Hortan Thanna Jathika Udyanaya) is a national park in the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m (6,900–7,500 ft) and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Ohiya, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the world-famous Ohiya Gap/Dondra Watch and 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Nuwara Eliya.

The Horton Plains are the

Walawe. In Sinhala the plains are known as Maha Eliya Plains (මහ එළිය තැන්න). Stone tools dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The plains' vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest and includes many endemic woody plants. Large herds of Sri Lankan sambar deer feature as typical mammals and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. Forest dieback
is one of the major threats to the park and some studies suggest that it is caused by a natural phenomenon.

The sheer precipice of World's End and Baker's Falls are among the tourist attractions of the park.

Physical features

Waterfall in the national park

Horton Plains is located on the southern plateau of the central highlands of Sri Lanka.

podsolic group and the surface layer is covered with decayed organic matter.[4]

The mean annual rainfall is greater than 2,000 mm (79 in). Frequent cloud cover limits the amount of sunlight that is available to plants. The mean annual temperature is 13 °C (55 °F) but the temperature varies considerably during the course of a day, reaching as high as 27 °C (81 °F) during the daytime, and dipping as low as 5 °C (41 °F) at night. During the southwest

Walawe.[2] The plains also feeds Belihul Oya, Agra Oya, Kiriketi Oya, Uma Oya, and Bogawantalawa Oya.[6]

History

The original name of the area was Maha Eliya Thenna (මහ එළිය තැන්න - "great open plain"). But in the British period the plains were renamed after

British governor of Ceylon from 1831 to 1837, who travelled to the area to meet the Ratemahatmaya of Sabaragamuwa in 1836,[4] in 1834 by Lt William Fisher of the 78th Regiment and Lt. Albert Watson of the 58th Regiment, who 'discovered' the plateau.[7] Stone tools dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The local population who resided in the lowlands ascended the mountains to mine gems, extract iron ore, construct an irrigational canal and fell trees for timber. A 6-metre (20 ft) pollen core extracted from a mire revealed that in the late quaternary period the area had a semi-arid climate and a species-restricted plant community.[8]

Since

Sri Lankans, Horton Plains is very significant in their History and Culture.[citation needed
]

Sir

World Heritage List.[1]

Flora

Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron arboreum is the predominant tree species in the park

The vegetation of the park is classified into two distinctive groups, 2,000 ha (7.7 sq mi) of wet patna (

undergrowth layer is characterised by Strobilanthes spp. The thickness of the Strobilanthes vegetation hinders the development of a herb layer. Dwarf bamboo species such Indocalamus and Ochlandra are also found in the undergrowth layer. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa bushes especially grow in forest margin and near the mountain peaks. Species such as Gordonia and Rhododendron arboreum have spread to Sri Lanka, along the Western Ghats of South India from the Himalayas and are now common. Nearly 54 woody plant species have been recorded from the park, of which 27 (50%) are endemic to Sri Lanka.[4]
Frequent fire and
Tussock grasses such as Chrysopogon zeylanicus and Cymbopogon confertiflorus are found in the wet hollows.[4] Herbaceous flora of the grasslands include temperate species including Ranunculus, Pedicularis, Senecio, Gentiana and Alchemilla and also tropical species such as Eriocaulon and Ipsea speciosa (a rare endemic daffodil orchid). The most widespread boreal herbaceous plants of the park are Viola, Lobelia, Gaultheria, Fragaria, and Plantago.[9]

Tree trunks and branches are ornamented with many species of ferns, Lycopodium, lichens, and orchids.[6] Old man's beard (Usnea barbata) hanging from branches adds to the beauty of the forests. About 16 of the orchid species are endemic. Other notable plants include shrubs such as Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Gaultheria fragrantissima, herbs, Exacum trinervium, E. walkeri, Drosera indica, and tree ferns Cyathea spp.[2] Anzia, a foliose lichen genus belonging to the family Parmeliaceae, which had not been recorded in Sri Lanka before, was discovered here in 2007.[3] There are conflicting views on how the grasslands of the park came into being, whether man-made or natural. It is now believed that the grasslands on the dry slopes were created by forest clearance and fires while grasslands in low-lying areas were naturally created by wet conditions, frost and soil erosion.[4]

Fauna

front view of a large brown deer with antlers
Sri Lankan sambar deer occur in large herds

The vertebrate fauna of the region includes 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians.

European otters visit the wetlands of the park to prey on aquatic animals.[2] A subspecies of red slender loris, the Horton Plains slender loris (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides formerly sometimes considered as Loris lydekkerianus nycticeboides) is found only in highlands of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the world's most endangered primates.[10][11] In July 2010 a group of researchers from the Zoological Society of London was able to photograph the mammal for the first time.[12]

In 2016, rusty-spotted cats (Prionailurus rubiginosus) were recorded in Horton Plains National Park for the first time, at altitudes of 2,084–2,162 m (6,837–7,093 ft).[13]

Sri Lanka white-eye

Along with

Sri Lanka whistling-thrush. Many birds migrate here in winter including swiftlets, and alpine swift. Crested serpent eagle, mountain hawk-eagle, black-winged kite, and peregrine falcon are among the birds of prey found in Horton Plains. Harriers are among the migratory raptors.[2] This is a key wildlife area. All six highland endemic birds are found here, including dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, and Sri Lanka bush warbler. Yellow-eared bulbul and black-throated munia are widespread throughout the highlands.[4]

Calotes nigrilabris at Horton Plains National Park

Sri Lanka is considered a herpetological paradise in the world.

common carp and rainbow trout; both are introduced species.[2] 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.[15]

Threats and conservation management

Aristea ecklonii, one of the invasive species on Horton Plains

Horton Plains was a part of a large system of plains and forest cover that included Agra-Bopats, Moon Plains and Elk Plains.

medicinal purposes, encroachment, poaching and vehicle traffic are the other threats. The spread of invasive alien species such as gorse (Ulex europaeus), Mist Flower (Ageratina riparia), Crofton Weed (Ageratina adenophora), (Austroeupatorium), Blue Stars (Aristea ecklonii), brackens, and Pennisetum spp. threaten the native flora.[16][17][18] The introduced rainbow trout may have affected endemic species of fish, amphibia and crustaceans.[4]

Owing to the relatively small size of Horton Plains National Park, it was predicted that most male leopards have activity centres that were outside the park.[19] Hence, continued protection of the national park and integrated management of landscapes outside of the national park is essential for the conservation of the species there.

Some sambar deer have died due to eating polythene litter that blocked their food passages, and visitors are banned from bringing polythene into the park.[20] Sambar have benefited from the introduced Pennisetum grass species.[21]

A recent threat, first reported in 1978, is forest dieback.[4] In some areas, especially in the peripheral region, this has been severe with nearly a 50% in vegetation. Water deficiency has been attributed as the main cause of dieback as droughts are becoming more frequent. The regrowth of forest is hindered by frost which is increasingly severe. The forest dieback has affected 22 species of plants with Calophyllum walkeri being the most affected.[22] A study has suggested that low calcium causes soil acidification and increased toxicity caused by metallic elements such as aluminium may be causing the dieback. Leaching of nutrients and the resulting imbalance in soil micronutrients may also be contributing to the dieback.[23]

Tourist attractions

World's End is a sheer precipice within the park and a major attraction

Horton Plains is a popular tourist destination, with World's End being the key attraction.[2] In the six months ending in August 2009, Horton Plains National Park earned a revenue of Rs. 20.1 million (US$ 0.17 million).[24] The park is accessed by the Nuwara Eliya-Ambewela-Pattipola and Haputale-Boralanda roads, and there are railway stations at Ohiya and Ambewela.

World's End is a sheer precipice with a 870 m (2,854 ft) drop.[6] It is situated at the southern boundary of the park. Another cliff known as the Lesser World's End of 270 m (886 ft) is located not far from World's End.

Baker's Falls, a waterfall formed by Belihul Oya, a tributary of the Walawe River is named after Sir Samuel Baker, a hunter and explorer[25] who attempted to establish a European agricultural settlement at Nuwara Eliya. The waterfall is 20 metres (66 ft) high. Slab Rock Falls is another well-known waterfall in the plains. The waterfall can be reached by walking on one of the main trails; the trail is a bit steep at the end but the difficulty level is medium to easy.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "World Heritage Committee inscribes two new sites on World Heritage List". unesco.org. UNESCO. July 30, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Horton Plains National Park". International Water Management Institute. Archived from the original on August 5, 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  3. ^ a b Jayalal, R.G.U.; Wolseley, P.; Pathberiya, L.G.; Wijesundara, D.S.A.; Karunaratne, V. (2007). "Anzia (Lichenized Ascomycetes, Parmeliaceae) A New Record from the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka" (PDF). Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2011.
  4. ^
    ISBN 2-8317-0030-2
    .
  5. doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.02.001
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-955-1266-61-5. Archived from the original
    on 2011-07-17.
  7. ^ Vinod Moonesinghe, "OMG! And the Fishers of Ramboda", Ceylon Daily News, 22 June 2012. Archived 19 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. doi:10.1016/S0277-3791(03)00128-8
    .
  9. ^ Campbell, D. H. (1926). "Ceylon". An outline of plant geography. New York: Macmillan Publishers. p. 191.
  10. ^ Nekaris, K. A. I. (2007). "Horton Plains Slender Loris, Ceylon Mountain Slender Loris, Loris tardigradus nycticeboides Hill, 1942. In: Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2006–2008". primate-sg.org. Arlington, VA: Unpublished report, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), International Primatological Society (IPS), and Conservation International (CI). pp. 12–13. Archived from the original on 2009-03-28.
  11. S2CID 8941145. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2009-02-05.
  12. ^ Hough, A. (19 July 2010). "Horton Plains Slender Loris pictured for first time". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  13. doi:10.11609/jott.4094.11.4.13506-13510
    .
  14. ^ "IBAs in Sri Lanka". birdlife.org. BirdLife International. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  15. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(82)90059-3
    .
  16. ^ Lalith Gunasekera, “Alien plants invasion in Horton Plains”, Sri Lanka Guardian, 23.9.2011. Accessed 19.6.2016.
  17. ^ Milan Lu, ““A growing threat” Archived 2016-08-13 at the Wayback Machine, Ceylon Today, 01.11.2011. Accessed 19.6.2016.
  18. ^ Ranwala, S.; Marambe, B.; Wijesundara, S.; Silva, P.; Weerakoon, D.; Atapattu, N.; Gunawardena, J.; Manawadu, L. & Gamage, G. (2012). "Post-entry risk assessment of invasive alien flora in Sri Lanka-present status, GAP analysis, and the most troublesome alien invaders". Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research (Special Issue): 863–871.
  19. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01182
    .
  20. ^ Fernando, V. (2002). "Horton Plains : Nature's pristine glory". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  21. S2CID 22901926
    .
  22. S2CID 189885528
    .
  23. S2CID 130388413
    .
  24. ^ Sriyananda, Shanika (August 8, 2009). "Wildlife picks up with end of war". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  25. ^ Baker, SW (1854). The rifle and the hound in Ceylon. Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, London.

External links

Media related to Horton Plains National Park at Wikimedia Commons

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