An Informative Article written by John Wilson (30.10.17)
The Eastern Reservoir Catchment Park Duo is a term that I coined recently to collectively describe the two most prominent protected areas of Sri Lanka’s Eastern and Uva Provinces (both of which are national parks, and one of which is part of a larger forest complex, the Gal Oya Forest Complex, another term that I coined recently). Both national parks were created primarily to protect the catchment areas of the Maduru Oya Reservoir (alongside four other, smaller reservoirs) and the Senanayake Samudraya Reservoir (Sri Lanka’s largest, albeit man – made reservoir) respectively. The Eastern Reservoir Catchment Park Duo are also unusual (in comparison to other Sri Lankan National Parks), due to the presence of Sri Lankan (long – established) Vedda communities, which live within the boundaries/on the peripheries of the various protected areas within the catchment park duo/forest complex. These communities are the last, untouched (by modern civilisation) Vedda colonies on the island, and serve as an extraordinary example of Sri Lanka’s ancient, indigenous cultures which are unfortunately, on the threshold of “cultural” extinction.
As far as wildlife is concerned, the Eastern Reservoir Catchment Park Duo is collectively home to over 40 species of mammal, over 30 species of reptile and close to 300 species of avifauna (Maduru Oya National Park and the Gal Oya Forest Complex have both been identified as two of Sri Lanka’s Important Bird Areas or “IBAs”). An estimated 30 – 40 species of amphibian inhabit the catchment park duo, alongside over 400 different varieties of dry – zone dry evergreen and/or dry – zone riverine vegetation (spread overnumerous different ecosystems, located within the seven protected areas).
Credits for this map go to Google Maps and John Wilson (myself/my own work)
National Parks:
1. Maduru Oya National Park: - Designated as a National Park in November 1983 (under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme), it was one of four national parks (alongside Wasgamuwa, Flood Plains and Somawathiya), created in order to protect the catchment areas of several man – made reservoirs, which were constructed under the aforementioned accelerated development programme. Several long – established Vedda Colonies were resettled to and currently inhabit the area surrounding the Henanigala Reservoir (located on the park’s western boundary). The park is relatively famous (amongst veteran, local wildlife enthusiasts and photographers), for its resident population of Sri Lankan Elephants (an estimated 150 – 200 individuals). As far as other popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and Sri Lankan Wild Water Buffalos and Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deer are all found in the park, alongside numerous other species of mammalian fauna. The park is dominated by towering dry – zone dry evergreen forests, interspersed with fragmented stretches of degraded, eastern dry – zone dry evergreen forests and vast tracts of open plains (the majority of which are covered in tall grass). The latter two habitats are a consequence of Chena Cultivation, which was carried regularly in the region, before the park was officially designated. An extremely rare and endemic dry – zone tree, Vatica Obscura, is found exclusively on the banks of the Maduru Oya River and the Gallodai Aru (or Stream). Unlike more well – known national parks such as Yala (Blocks I and V) and Udawalawe, Maduru Oya is remote, isolated, rarely traversed and often described as “one of Sri Lanka’s last true, great wildernesses”. The following reservoirs (Maduru Oya, Ulhitiya, Ratkinda, NDK and Henanigala) comprise a significant section of the park, and are collectively 8,827.49 hectares (or 34.08 square miles) in size. These five reservoirs are partially surrounded by both dry – zone riverine forests and vast flood plains, and feed into both the Mahaweli and the Maduru Oya Rivers. Maduru Oya National Park is 50,850 hectares (or 227.22 square miles) in size, and is one of island’s five “ultra long distance” national parks. Accessed through its primary entrance, located just off the A26 Highway (i.e. the Kandy – Mahiyangana – Padiyathalawa Road), or its secondary entrance (the more frequently utilised, of the two entryways), located just off the AB44 Highway (i.e. the Mahiyangana – Dimbulagala – Dalukkane Road).
Photo Credits to Thanuja Malimbada
The Gal Oya Forest Complex
National Parks:
1. Gal Oya National Park: - Designated as a National Park in February 1954 (by the now defunct Gal Oya Development Board), it was one of six protected areas (alongside the Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, the Nilgala National Forest Reserve, the two Gal Oya Valley Sanctuaries and the Buddhangala Sanctuary), created in order to protect the catchment areas of several man – made reservoirs, which were constructed under the aforementioned development board. A number of long – established Vedda Colonies were resettled to and currently inhabit the areas adjacent to the park’s periphery forests. The park is relatively famous (amongst veteran, local wildlife enthusiasts and photographers), for its resident population of Sri Lankan Elephants (an estimated 200 – 250 individuals). This particular population of Sri Lankan Elephants is known locally as the “Swimming Elephants”, and are (due to their extended periods of time, spent traversing the Senanayake Samudra Reservoir), unique amongst the island’s various subpopulations. As far as other popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and Sri Lankan Wild Water Buffalos and Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deer are all found in the park, alongside numerous other species of mammalian fauna. The park is dominated by towering dry – zone dry evergreen forests, interspersed with semi – arid scrubland/xeric shrub land and vast tracts of open plains (the majority of which are covered in savannah and/or sub – montane grasses). Unlike more recognised national parks such as Yala (Blocks I and V) and Udawalawe, Gal Oya is remote, isolated, rarely traversed and often described as “one of Sri Lanka’s last true, great wildernesses”. The following reservoirs (Senanayake Samudra, Jayanthi, Namal Oya, Andal Oya, Himidurawa and Kondavattavana) comprise a significant section of the park, and are collectively (approximately) over 12,949.90 hectares (or 50 square miles) in size. These six reservoirs are surrounded by both seasonally flooded grasslands and vast flood plains, and collectively feed into the Gal Oya River. Gal Oya National Park is 25,900 hectares (or 100.04 square miles) in size (the second largest protected area within the Gal Oya Forest Complex), and is one of island’s five “ultra long distance”national parks. Accessed through its primary (and only) entrance, located just off the northern sector of the B350 Byway (i.e. the Pallang Oya – Inginiyagala Road). The byway for the park’s primary entrance is accessed solely through the AB1 Highway (i.e. the Ampara – Inginiyagala Road).
National Forest Reserves:
1. The Nilgala National Forest Reserve (ProposedFuture Forest Corridor): - Designated as both a National Forest Reserve and a Forest Conservation Region in 1953, (by the now defunct Gal Oya Development Board), it was one of six protected areas (alongside Gal Oya National Park, the Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, the two Gal Oya Valley Sanctuaries and the Buddhangala Sanctuary), created in order to protect the catchment areas of several man – made reservoirs, which were constructed under the aforementioned development board. As far as popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Elephants, Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deerare all found in the forest reserve, alongside numerous other species of mammalian fauna. The Nilgala National Forest Reserve is jointly managed by two Sri Lankan Government Departments, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC). The reserve is dominated by towering dry – zone dry evergreen forests, interspersed with isolated tracts of open plains (the majority of which are covered in savannah and/or sub – montane grasses). Unfortunately (as is often the case in Sri Lanka), the Nilgala National Forest Reserve (until as recently as 2012) suffered from continued, illegal deforestation and the construction of illegal human settlements. An estimated 36,611 hectares (or 141.35 square miles) of protected area habitats, likely more, was permanently lost to such illegal actions. However, due to the tireless work of both local and international environmental NGOs, the aforementioned “illegal actions” were halted indefinitely, and since then no further illegal deforestation and illegal human settlement construction has been reported from within the reserve. The Nilgala National Forest Reserve is 26,000 hectares (or 100.38 square miles) in size (the largest protected area within the Gal Oya Forest Complex), and is accessed through its primary entrance, located just off the B527 Byway (i.e. the Bibile – Pitakumbura – Namal Oya – Inginiyagala Road). The turnoff for the road/track that leads to the DWC’s Nilgala Office, is located in the small village of Bulupitiya, next to the “Nilgala Makara Pivisuma”.
Photo Credits to Darshana Abraham
Sanctuaries (Managed Nature Reserves):
1. The Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary: - Designated as a Sanctuary in February 1954 (by the now defunct Gal Oya Development Board), it was one of six protected areas (alongside Gal Oya National Park, the Nilgala National Forest Reserve, the two Gal Oya Valley Sanctuaries and the Buddhangala Sanctuary), created in order to protect the catchment areas of several man – made reservoirs, which were constructed under the aforementioned development board. As far as popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Elephants, Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deer are all found in the sanctuary, alongside numerous other species of mammalian fauna. Additionally, the sanctuary’s unparalleled avifaunal diversity includes avian species such as the Lesser Adjutant Stork, the Painted Stork, the Spot – Billed Pelican, the White – Bellied Sea Eagle and the Grey – Headed Fish Eagle(amongst many others). The sanctuary is dominated by seasonally flooded grasslands and vast flood plains, both of which fully surround the enormous (albeit man – made) Senanayake Sumudra Reservoir (from which the sanctuary’s namesake is derived). The Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary is only 9,324 hectares (or 36.01 square miles) in size (the fifth largest protected area within the Gal Oya Forest Complex), and is accessed through Gal Oya National Park’s primary (and only) entrance, located just off the northern sector of the B350 Byway (i.e. the Pallang Oya – Inginiyagala Road). The byway for the park’s primary entrance is accessed solely through the AB1 Highway (i.e. the Ampara – Inginiyagala Road).
Photo Credits to Priyal Mahendre
2. The Gal Oya Valley (North – East) Sanctuary: - Designated as a Sanctuary in February 1954 (by the now defunct Gal Oya Development Board), it was one of six protected areas (alongside Gal Oya National Park, the Nilgala National Forest Reserve, the Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, the Gal Oya Valley (South – West) Sanctuary and the Buddhangala Sanctuary), created in order to protect the catchment areas of several man – made reservoirs, which were constructed under the aforementioned development board. As far as popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Elephants, Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deerare all found in the sanctuary, alongside numerous other species of mammalian fauna. The sanctuary is dominated by towering dry – zone dry evergreen forests, interspersed with semi – arid scrubland/xeric shrub land and open plains (the majority of which are covered in savannah grasses). The Gal Oya Valley (North – East) Sanctuary is 12,432 hectares (or 48.02 square miles) in size (the fourth largest protected area within the Gal Oya Forest Complex), and is accessed through Gal Oya National Park’s primary (and only) entrance, located just off the northern sector of the B350 Byway (i.e. the Pallang Oya – Inginiyagala Road). The byway for the park’s primary entrance is accessed solely through the AB1 Highway (i.e. the Ampara – Inginiyagala Road).
3. The Gal Oya Valley (South – West) Sanctuary: - Designated as a Sanctuary in February 1954 (by the now defunct Gal Oya Development Board), it was one of six protected areas (alongside Gal Oya National Park, the Nilgala National Forest Reserve, the Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, the Gal Oya Valley (North – East) Sanctuary and the Buddhangala Sanctuary), created in order to protect the catchment areas of several man – made reservoirs, which were constructed under the aforementioned development board. As far as popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Elephants, Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deerare all found in the sanctuary, alongside numerous other species of mammalian fauna. The sanctuary is dominated by towering dry – zone dry evergreen forests, interspersed with semi – arid scrubland/xeric shrub land and open plains (the majority of which are covered in savannah grasses). The Gal Oya Valley (South – West) Sanctuary is 15,281 hectares (or 59.02 square miles) in size (the third largest protected area within the Gal Oya Forest Complex), and is accessed through Gal Oya National Park’s primary (and only) entrance, located just off the northern sector of the B350 Byway (i.e. the Pallang Oya – Inginiyagala Road). The byway for the park’s primary entrance is accessed solely through the AB1 Highway (i.e. the Ampara – Inginiyagala Road).
Photo Credits to Gal Oya Lodge
4. The Buddhangala Sanctuary: - Designated as a Sanctuary in 1974 (by the now defunct Gal Oya Development Board), it was one of six protected areas (following the declaration of Gal Oya National Park, the Nilgala National Forest Reserve, the Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary and the two Gal Oya Valley Sanctuaries exactly two decades earlier), created by the aforementioned development board. Its creation was a consequence of the continued demands, made by local Buddhist religious figures, that Buddhangala’s Forests (and the ancient Buddhangala Rajamaha Viharaya or “Forest Monastery”, contained within the aforementioned forests), be granted official protection by the Sri Lankan Government. The sanctuary is dominated by towering dry – zone dry evergreen forests, interspersed with a number ancient ruins linked to Prince Dighayu’s Digamadulla Kingdom (believed to have been established in the 4th or 5th century BC). As far as popular mammalian fauna are concerned, Sri Lankan Elephants, Sri Lankan (Lowland) Sambar Deer and Sri Lankan Axis or “Spotted” Deer are found in the sanctuary, alongside numerous other species of mammalian/avian fauna. The Buddhangala Sanctuary is only 1,841 hectares (or 7.10 square miles) in size (the smallest protected area within the Gal Oya Forest Complex), and is accessed through a gravel road/track, located just off the western sector of the A31 Highway (i.e. the Karativu – Ampara Road).
Photo Credits to Vathsala Karunanayake
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