Fauna
and Flora
Fauna
and flora have found a paradise in Sri Lanka, and a visit to this
beautiful country isn’t complete without a chance to see the exotic
plant life. Sri Lanka is in fact known as the home for thousands of
different Plant types, which include substantial percent of all the
known species of plant life on our planet. Sri Lanka is very rich in
its plant biodiversity.
A noteworthy
feature of Sri Lanka's biodiversity is the remarkable high
proportion of endemic species among its flora and fauna: 23% of the
flowering plants and 16% of the mammals in the island are endemic.
Even more
interesting is distribution of endemics. A large proportion is found
in the wet zone in the south western region of the island.
Flora - Twenty three percent of the flowering plants are
endemic and most of them are confined to the wet evergreen and wet
montane forests of the central and southwest part of the country.
Vegetational analysis has resulted in the identification of fifteen
different floristic regions with the great majority being found in
the wet and intermediate zones. The presence of many floristic
regions within a relatively small area is a reflection of the high
level of ecosystem diversity in the country.
Fauna - The fauna of Sri Lanka is as diverse as the flora.
While sharing common features with the neighboring subcontinent, the
fauna exhibits very high endemism among the less mobile groups. With
taxonomical revisions and descriptions of new species the number of
species in each group keeps changing.
For endemic species, the distribution patterns are similar to the
flora: the wet zone has many more endemic species than the dry zone.
In terms of mammals, birds and fishes, the three major groups that
are well studies in Sri Lanka, each group has a different
distribution pattern.
Biodiversity Hot
Spot in the world
Sri Lanka has
been identified by the environment activist group Conservation
International (CI) as one of 25 biodiversity hot spots in the world,
reported the Time weekly early January 2006. These hot spots could
have maximum benefit by preservation efforts, the magazine said in a
cover story titled "Heroes for the Planet: Earth Angles". The
U.S.-based CI said that together with Western India, Sri Lanka, the
island in the Indian ocean, accounts for 2,180 plant species that
are unique to each hot spot.
Sri Lanka's tropical rain forest ecosystem is considered as an area
which is disturbed by human activity, but still exceptionally rich
in animal and plant species found nowhere else.
Eco Tourism
For those
especially interested in a more in-depth study of Sri Lanka's rich
and diverse flora and fauna, Sri Lanka has Eco Teams, who can
arrange tours with specialist guides in a variety of different
locations all around the island.
In terms of flora, the wet zone is one of the best places to explore
due to its huge variety of spectacular orchids, hardwood trees
(including ebony, teak and silkwood), and many plants used in Sri
Lankan ayurvedic medicine. Sri Lanka's central hill country is home
to some fascinating cloud and dwarf (pygmy) forests as well as
extensive grassland areas (such as the famous "Horton Plains
National Park"). Even the dry zone, though usually arid, can erupt
with colour after a spell of rain.
History
The most
ancient type of plant area in Sri Lanka is Namal Uyana. The
sanctuary at Ulpothagama, Madatugama famous for its pink quartz
mountain could be the home of one of the world's largest beds of
fossilized plants. The accidental find of a massive fossil bed by a
para archaeologist led to a team of government officials visiting
the site and submitting a report to Prime Minister recommending that
the area be declared a "strict natural reserve" and a high security
zone. The plant fossil area is believed to cover over 300 acres
It is easy to see from the rich diversity that anyone interested in
plant life would find Sri Lanka a fascinating place. Just one more
reason to visit the beautiful and friendly nation of Sri Lanka.
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Nil
Manel
(Blue Water Lily)
(Nymphaea Stellata)
In February
1986 blue water lily was chosen as the National flower. Found in
all the part of Sri Lanka and grows in the shallow water. It`s
a symbol of purity and truth and says It
produces happy dreams. |
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Royal
Botanic Gardens Peradeniya
The
Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens are situated at Peradeniya, 6
Km from Kandy, on a tongue of land bounded on three sides by the
banks of the Mahaweli River.
Botanical Gardens
Hakgala
Botanic
garden at Hakgala is the second largest gardens in Sri Lanka
situated in salubrious environment near the capital city of the
hill country. |
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