Lowest gravity on Earth in Rumassala Mountain, Sri Lanka

Rumassala, famed to colonialists as Buona view, is that the subject of the many legends. It options within the Ramayana, because the home of the attractive queen Sita, hidden within the jungle close. Hanuman UN agency was sent to fetch a medicative plant for a wounded soldier, was unable to seek out it and brought the mountain range mountains on that it absolutely was aforementioned to grow. 

He born a bit at Unawatuna ('here it fell') to make the current mountain, wherever several medicative plants still grow.

There is a significant magnetic anomaly close to Unawatuna, that Arthur C. Clarke attributes to a meteor strike, and it's aforementioned that satellites lose their orbits with uncommon frequency overhead. The Portuguese had a dreadful name in country as looters and pirates, and square measure aforementioned to possess given false lightweight signals from Rumassala to lure unsuspecting Arab commercialism ships onto the rocks.

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UNAWATUNA BEACH

Unawatuna Beach
west coast of Sri Lanka, a popular tourist destination is a also a breeding ground for turtles. Legend say that Unwatuna was created from a piece of earth from Himalaya, that had fallen from Hanuman in the Ramayanaya epic.

Unawatuna is about 2km away towards Matara from Galle.

Unlike the other resorts to the north Unawatuna is still a very quite place and a excellent location to enjoy the tropical beauty in relative recluse. Ideal for snorkeling and swimming. There are some coral reefs to be explored at near by Rumassala and now becoming popular as a bird watching location. Unawatuna offers a wide range of accommodation scattered around near by village, but for more luxurious places are few minutes drive from the beach. If you're a night owl and into drinking, playing casino games and eating out, the beach side bars and restaurants are in abundance. 

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KUMANA NATIONAL PARK

History
Located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka , the 18,149 hectare KUMANA (YALA EAST) NATIONAL PARK is a well-known eco tourism attraction and bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. One of the most significant features of the park is the 'Kumana Villu' - a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the 'Kumbukkan Oya' through a half mile long narrow channel. It is at this mangrove swamp that many water birds nest in May and June. Regular sightings include such species of bird as pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants. 

The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp. Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the larger YALA NATIONAL PARK (west) park, such as elephants and leopards. The vegetation in Kumana consists mainly of mangrove trees, kumbuk trees and the karan fern, as well as the open marsh area. For bird watching enthusiasts, the park is an 'absolute must'. 


Kumana is well known for its prolific bird life. The Park is located in the south east corner of Sri Lanka, and spans 18,150 hectares. A significant number of birds come to breed and feed here. One of the most significant features of the park is the 'Kumana Villu' - a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the Kumbukkan Oya through a long narrow channel. It is in this mangrove swamp that many water birds nest in May and June.

Originally known as the Yala East National Park, it was renamed Kumana National Park in 2006. Kumana has an average annual temperature of 27°C and an annual rainfall of 1,300 mm and its elevation ranges from sea-level to the low height of 90 metres.

There are about 20 lagoons and tanks here which are major contributors to the diversity of birdlife that can be seen in Kumana, most of which are water and wading species. These tanks can be less than two metres deep and are often flooded by seawater. The Kumana Bird Sanctuary, within the boundaries of the Kumana National Park, was declared a protected area in 1938, and is rated as one of the most important breeding grounds for birds in Sri Lanka.

Ancient cave inscriptions have been discovered here dating back to the 1st and 2nd Centuries BC. Buddhist and Hindu devotees annually cross the Kumana area on their foot pilgrimage to the nearby Temple in Kataragama.

A total of 255 species of birds have been recorded in Kumana. Commonly seen on a birding safari are Pelicans, Painted Storks, Spoonbills, White Ibis and Cormorants. The very rare Black-necked Stork has also been spotted here.

Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the neighbouring Yala National Park such as elephants and leopards which can also be seen on safari. Other animals which reside in the Kumana National Park include the Golden Jackal and the European Otter. It is also reported that approximately 30 to 40 Sri Lankan Elephants reside in the Park, although they do crossover to the Yala National Park.

Two Hundred and Fifty Five species of birds have been recorded in the Kumana National Park and from April to July tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana swamp. Rare species such as the Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Eurasian Spoonbill and the Great Thick-knee are breeding inhabitants.

Most commonly seen are the Pacific Golden Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Grey Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Common Snipe and the Pintail Snipe.

The Asian Openbill, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Spot-billed Pelican, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Common Moorhen, Watercock, Purple Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Lesser Whistling Duck and Little Grebe migrate here in large flocks while the Pintails fly 9,000 kilometres from far away Siberia. Rare migrants include the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Red-faced Malkoha and the Sirkeer Malkoha.

Due to its coastal location, turtles are sometimes spotted coming ashore to lay their eggs. These turtles include the Indian Black turtle and the Indian Flap-shelled turtle. Mugger crocodiles can also been seen here. Fish species to be found in the lakes and tanks include the Tilapia and common Mullet.

The elevation of Kumana ranges from sea level to 90 metres, the mean annual temperature is 27°C and the area receives 1,300 mm of annual rainfall.

The Park's wetland areas are surrounded by dry zone tropical thorn forest. The inland forest's flora consists mainly of Manilkara hexandra which is known as Palu in Sinhala. There is also a range of aquatic plants, trees and reeds.

There are two routes from Colombo; they fork off at Pelmadulla and meet again at Wellawaya; one going via Beragala and Koslanda and the other via Thimbolketiya, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila. From Wellawaya the road goes through Moneragala, Pottuvil and Panama. There is only one entrance to the Park from Panama, through the Kudumbigala Sanctuary. The distance from Colombo is approximately 391 km. You can also take an air taxi from Colombo (Peliyagoda) and land in Arugam Bay. From there reach the Kumana National Park by road. By helicopter: take off either from the Bandaranaike Airport or Ratmalana and land in Kumana and then reach the Park by road.

When considering accommodation options for a Kumana National Park birding and wildlife safari you need to find a solution that allows you to cut down on travel time. With Big Game safari tented safari camps you will be set up inside the Park itself, allowing for minimal travel time and maximum time inside. For more information on Big Game Safari tented safari camping options, please visit our accommodation page. However, if you would like to stay in a hotel close by, just let us know and we can make the necessary arrangements.

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YALA NATIONAL PARK

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Actually it consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names also, like Ruhuna National Park for the (best known) block 1 and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.

There are six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries in the vicinity of Yala. The park is situated in the dry semi-arid climatic region and rain is received mainly during the northeast monsoon. Yala hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilisations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, are situated within the park. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe damage on the Yala National Park and 250 people died in its vicinity. The number of visitors has been on the rise since 2009 after the security situation in the park improved.

Flora

Yala National Park has a variety of ecosystems including moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wetlands, and sandy beaches. The area under forest cover mainly consists of Block I and rangelands of open parkland (Pelessa grasslands) including some extensive grasslands. The forest area is restricted to around the Menik River while rangelands are found towards the sea side. Other habitat types of the Block I are tanks and water holes, lagoons and mangroves and chena lands. The mangrove vegetation in the Buthuwa lagoon is largely Rhizophora mucronata while Avicennia spp. and Aegiceras spp. are less abundant. The vegetation of Block II is similar to those of Block I, and Yalawela, once a fertile paddy field, represents Pitiya grasslands. The mangroves of Block II occur around the estuary of Menik River, which extent to 100 hectares (0.39 sq mi). The common mangrove plants are Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia caseolaris, Avicennia spp., and Aegiceras corniculatum. The lagoons of Pilinnawa, Mahapothana, and Pahalapothana are also located in this block. The other common mangrove species are Sonneratia caseolaris, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, and Lumnitzera racemosa. In the bare sand Crinum zeylanicum is found.

In the Blocks III, IV, and V, forests are more widespread. The canopy of the forest mainly contains Drypetes sepiaria and Manilkara hexandra plant species. The Pitiya grasslands are important for grazing animals. The Cynodon barberi is the common grass in Pitiya grasslands while Zoysia matrella becomes dominant near the beach. Among 300 odd floral species are Manilkara hexandra, Drypetes sepiaria, Ceylon Satinwood, Terminalia arjuna, Limonia, Berrya cordifolia, Randia dumetorum, Pleurostylia opposita, Gymnema sylvestre, Bell mimosa, Neem, Banyan, Toothbrush tree, Schleichera oleosa, Vitex pinnata, Indian blackberry, Gmelina asiatica, Carissa spinarum, Euphorbia antiquorum, and Acacia eburnea. In the seasonally flooded areas of Block II, a wild species of rice (Oryza sp.) is found. The Glenniea unijuga is an endemic plant species found around the wetlands of the park. The Munronia pumila, Salacia reticulata, and Asparagus racemosus are the medicinal plants.

Fauna

The Great Stone-curlew is a waterbird found in the park Yala is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka of 215 bird species of the park, six are endemic to Sri Lanka. They are Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, and Brown-capped Babbler. The number of waterbirds inhabiting wetlands of Yala is 90 and half of them are migrants. Waterfowls (Lesser Whistling Duck, Garganey), Cormorants (Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant), large waterbirds (Grey Heron, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Asian Openbill, Painted Stork), medium-sized waders Tringa spp., and small waders Charadrius spp. are among the common waterbirds. Black-necked Stork and Lesser Adjutant are the rare birds that can be seen in the park. The migrant Great White Pelican and resident Spot-billed Pelican are also have been recorded. Other waterbirds attracted to the Yala lagoons include Lesser Flamingo, and Pelicans, and rare species such as Purple Heron, Night herons, Egrets, Purple Swamphen, and Oriental Darter. Thousands of waterfowls migrate to the lagoons of Yala during the northeast monsoon. They are Northern Pintail, White-winged Tern, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Godwits, and Ruddy Turnstone. The visiting species mingled with residing Lesser Whistling Duck, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Red-wattled Lapwing, and Great Stone-curlew. Rock Pigeon, Barred Buttonquail, Indian Peafowl, Black Stork, Black-winged Stilt, and Greater Flamingo are among the other bird species. Crested Serpent-eagle and White-bellied Sea Eagle are the raptors of the park. The forest birds are Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Hornbills, Old World flycatchers, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Asian barbets, and Orioles.

Including Sri Lankan Elephant, 44 species of mammals are resident in Yala National Park, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. 25 individual leopards are estimated to roam in Block I. The elephant herd of Yala contains 300–350 individuals. Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Elephant, Wild water buffalo are threatened species that Yala is harbouring. Although water buffaloes are indigenous to Sri Lanka, most populations contain genes of the domestic stock or are descended from feral stock. Toque Macaque, Golden Palm Civet, Red Slender Loris, and Fishing Cat are among the other mammals that can be seen in Yala. The elephant population of the park varies seasonally.

The reptile fauna recorded from the park is 46 and five of them are endemic. Sri Lankan Krait, Boulenger's Keelback, Sri Lankan Flying Snake, Painted-lip Lizard and Wiegmann's Agama are the endemic species. The coastal line of the park is visited by the all five globally endangered sea turtles (Leatherback turtle, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Hawksbill turtle, and Green turtle) that visit Sri Lanka. The two breeding crocodile species of Sri Lanka, Mugger crocodile and Saltwater Crocodile inhabit the park. The Indian Cobra and Russell's viper are among the other reptiles. There are 18 amphibians species that have been recorded from Yala while Bufo atukoralei and Adenomus kelaartii are endemic to Sri Lanka. In the water courses of Yala, 21 fresh water fishes are found. The fish population in the perennial reservoirs contain mostly exotic food fish Mozambique tilapia. The Stone sucker and Esomus thermoicos are endemic among other species. The Blackspot barb, Olive Barb, Orange chromide and Common Spiny Loach are the common fish species. Crabs and prawns include the fauna in the lagoons of the park. A variety of butterfly species is found here. The Common bluebottle, Common Lime Butterfly, Crimson Rose, Common Jezebel, and Common Mormon are the common species.

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SINHARAJA RAINFOREST

SINHARAJA timber may be a world heritage web site and major eco business destination, which might even be delineated  as a Tropical Lowland timber or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest . no matter its 'technical' name, it's beyond question a chic treasure hoarded wealth of nature with a good diversity of habitats and a colossal repository of Sri Lanka's endemic species found no wherever else within the world. BIRD observation during this scheme is especially attention-grabbing as a result of it's home to ninety fifth of the endemic birds of state ! Named as a world heritage web site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word 'Sinharaja' suggests that, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it's fashionable belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala individuals is from the union between a patrician and therefore the lion king World Health Organization once lived within the forest!


History
The forest steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word Sinharaja suggests that, lion (sinha) king (raja) and therefore the fashionable belief is that the legendary origin of the Sinhala individuals in state is from the descendants of the union the lion king World Health Organization once lived within the forest and a patrician. Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one in all the smallest amount disturbed and biologically distinctive lowland rain forests currently remaining in state.

This forest covers associate degree extent of roughly 11187 angular distance. From east to west the length of the forest is concerning twenty one kilometre. And its dimension from north to south is concerning three.7 km. The Sinharaja forest was at the start declared a person and region Reserve (MAB) in 1978, as representative of Tropical wet Evergreen Forest scheme in state and has been recognized by United Nations agency as a part of its International Network of region Reserves.

Subsequently it had been declared a National geographical area space, below the National Heritage geographical area space Act, in 1988 and of late a World Heritage web site in 1989.It is the state 's initial resource to earn this honored distinction. This forest is located within the southwest lowland Wet Zone of the country at latitudes six 21- six twenty six and longitudes eighty 21- 80-34.It spans over the executive districts of Ratnapura, Galle and Matara.

Sinharaja forest consists of a series of continuous ridges, aligned just about in associate degree east-west direction and lies between the tributaries of the Kalu Ganga within the north and therefore the Gin Ganga within the south.

There square measure four main routes of access to Sinharaja. The Kalawana- Weddagala road from the northwest, The Rakwana-Morning facet estate road from the northeast, the Hiniduma-Neluwa road from the southwest and Deniyaya-Pallegama road from the southeast. Among these roads the Kalawana-Weddagala road is shorter and additional convenient for guests traveling from national capital .

Topography
The elevation of the Sinharaja reserve ranges from 200m to 1300m. it's a rolling tract consisting of a series of ridges and valleys, that assumes associate degree east-west trend within the northwestern a part of the reserve. In different elements of the reserve, the ridges and valleys assume a north-west/south-east alignment. the height of Hinipitigala is that the tallest, rising up to concerning 1150m.Other necessary ridges within the reserve ranges between 550-800m tall NamelyMoulawella (760m), Kosgulana (797m), Sinharaja (742m), Kohilearambe (575m), Dotalugala (769m), and Tibbottagala (904m).

Geology and Soils
The Sinharaja Reserve lies inside the transition zone of 2 necessary teams of rock sorts, the south/western cluster that accommodates metasediments-charnokites and scapolites Vitus Behring calc granulites and therefore the highland cluster comprising khondalites of metamorphosed sediments and Charnockites. the foremost important earth science feature of Sinharaja is that the presence of a "Sinharaja Basic Zone" that contains hornblend pyriclasts, basic charnokites mineral amphibolites and scapolite.

The soils of Sinharaja for the most part belong to the cluster of Red Yellow Podzolic soils, with clearly distinguishable horizons of variable soil depths. The soil is well drained with little or no accumulation of organic matter.

Plant Life
The vegetation of Sinharaja is also delineated  either as a Tropical Lowland Rain Forest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Some hanging characteristics of the forest square measure the loftiness of the dominant trees, the straightness of their bole, the abundance of regeneration and therefore the diversity of species.

The average height of the trees varies between 35m -40m. Some people rise even upto 50m.

Contrary to fashionable belief scrub growth will occur on rock shelves or gaps on the cover created by falling of over-mature trees. the good diversity of species of Sinharaja forest makes it tough to differentiate ecological patterns. However, some tree associations are recognized and therefore these square measure the Dipterocarpus (Hora-Bu Hora) associate degree association confined to the lower elevations on the Gin Ganga natural depression and the Mesua-Doona (Shorea) association forms the matrix of the Sinharaja forest.

The vegetation of Sinharaja is that of wet wet evergreen forest kind with a high degree of indigenousness. in reality some families like Dipterocarpaceae show associate degree indigenousness quite ninetieth. The untapped genetic potential of Sinharaja flora is big. Out of the 211 woody trees and lianas up to now known inside the reserve 139(66%) square measure endemic. Similarly, high levels of indigenousness square measure maybe true for the lower plants like ferns, Epiphyts also. Out of twenty five general endemic to state thirteen square measure delineate in Sinharaja.

The total vegetation density, together with trees, shrubs, herbs and seedlings has been calculable to be around 240,000 people per area unit, of that ninety fifth comprise people of the bottom layer below 1m tall. The density of trees, lianas on top of 30cm girth at breast height, ranges between 600-700 individuals/ha. whereas the amount of vendible people of trees of girth larger than 150cm. Ranges between 45-55 individuals/ha.

Animal Life
Preliminary studies on the fauna of Sinharaja have discovered that there's a high degree of indigenousness among the butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. in reality 95%of the endemic birds of state square measure recorded in Sinharaja. indigenousness among mammals and butterflies are larger than five hundredth.

Out of the larger mammals, though elephants were aforesaid to be common within the past, there haven't been reports of sightings throughout the last fifteen years. However, there are reports of sightings of a number of animals within the japanese Sector. the foremost common cervid species is that the Sambhur.The ruminant and muntjac are found inside the reserve. Leopards square measure terribly rarely hawk-eyed, however their frequent presence has been confirmed by tracks and different signs. Brown viverrine and therefore the Golden civet are often hawk-eyed. the foremost normally seen primate is that the Purple long-faced Leaf Monkey.

Out of the birds recorded within the Western sector of the reserve, seventy two were resident non- endemic and thirteen migrants. one in all the foremost attention-grabbing and colourful spectacles to be found within the Sinharaja is that the presence of mixed species of hunting bird flocks, a development normally found in rain forests. a complete of one hundred such flocks were consistently ascertained, and studies have discovered that some flocks contained forty eight species together with twelve endemic species. The rare endemic birds to be seen in Sinharaja square measure the Red-faced Malkoha, the state Blue Magpie, the ash-gray - headed Babbler, the White- Headed oscine and therefore the Green-billed cuckoo the rarest of Sri Lankan birds.

The agamids square measure the best-represented cluster of reptiles, the foremost common being the inexperienced Garden Lizard of special significance square measure the sightings of Calotes liolepis associate degree arboreal species, the rarest of all agamids found within the island. the sole turtle recorded within the reserve is that the hard- shelled turtle, whereas of the species of skinks, the noticed scincid lizard usually|will be|is|may be} seen often. Among the snakes the inexperienced viper and Hump- pug-nose ophidian square measure normally found during this forest and square measure endemic to state .

The amphibians square measure fairly well delineate within the reserve and 9 endemic species are known. The endemic Torrent frog and therefore the common house frog. In most streams and marshes, the Wrinkled frog and therefore the the} state Reed frog also found in Sinharaja. Ramanella palmate a rare endemic species is that the solely microhylid recorded up to now whereas the yellow- banded Caecilian is that the solely apodan recorded.

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PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE

Pinnawela orphanage is settled in Rambukkana, northwest of the city Kegalla, halfways between this capitol capital of Sri Lanka and therefore the ancient royal residence Kandy within the hills of central state. it absolutely was established 1975 by the state life department. This twenty four acres giant elephant orphanage may be a conjointly breeding pace for elephants, the primary elephant baby was born in 1984, and it's the best herd of elephants in captivity within the world. Between 1975 and 2012, sixty seven animals were born here.

History
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was started in 1975 by the Department of life on a twenty 5 acre coconut property on the Dhegiha Oya watercourse at Rambukkana. The orphanage was primarily designed to afford care and protection to the numerous baby elephants found within the jungle while not their mothers.

In most of those cases the mother had either died or been killed. In some instances the baby had fallen into a pit and in others the mother had fallen in and died. at first this orphanage was at the Wilpattu park, then shifted to the holidaymaker advanced at Bentota so to the Dehiwala zoological garden.

From the Dehiwala zoological garden it absolutely was shifted 1975 to Pinnawela. At the time it absolutely was shifted the orphanage had 5 baby elephants that fashioned its nucleus.It was hoped that this facility would attract each native and foreign guests, the financial gain from which might facilitate to take care of the orphanage.

There ar solely a number of elephant orphanages within the world. Pinnawela has currently become one in every of the larger orphanages and is kind of renowned world wide.

In 1978 the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was condemned by the National Zoological Gardens from the Department of life and a captive breeding program launched in 1982.

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