Though Sri Lanka is very small in land area, the great diversity in habitats harbors are a rich and diverse fauna and flora, with many species endemic to the island. Historically as well as in the modern era, successive rulers and governments of Sri Lanka have strived to provide sanctuary and protection to our beautiful wildlife. Today the demands and aspirations of an expanding human population makes it difficult for the government to be solely responsible for the protection, preservation and management of this beguiled wild heritage of ours. Today, especially where human interest and wildlife interest are in direct conflict. It is imperative that private organizations with resources step into and fill the areas that need immediate attention: environmental education, long term research, and to develop integrated projects forcommunity based conservation.
HAGGALA------------------------------------------
Hakgala Botanical Gardens is situated at the base of the Hakgala Peak, south of Nuwara Eliya. Established in 1860, the garden is famous for its roses, ferns, an orchid house and a summer house. The Hakgala rock rises 1500 ft. (45 m) above the gardens.
UDAWATHATHA KALE
It is situated to the North of the City of Kandy and has deep forests with many endemic birds, butterflies and plants. It is home to the 'lyre-headed lizard' found only in the rainforests of Sri Lanka. You can walk through this reserve with an experienced guide along good tracks.Birds include Layard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Brown-capped Babbler, Gold-fronted Leafbirds, Blue-winged Leafbirds, Emerald Dove, Brown Flycatcher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher.
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BUNDALA
Comprising of scrub jungle bordering the sea, the park strateches along the the coast east of Hambantota. The beach is an important nesting site for turtles.
Wildlife includes elephants, spotted deer, grey langur, jackal, water monitor, crocodiles, the olive ridley and leatherback turtles, the hawksbill and green turtles.
KALANI VALLY
Established as a forest reserve, it is home to many of Sri Lanka's endemic fauna and flora. The forest is a rainforest.
Bird life includes: Green Billed Coucal, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Red-faced Malkoha, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Rufous Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Spot-winged Thrush, Malabar Trogon, Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker, Pygmy Woodpecker, Crimson-baked Woodpecker, Black-naped Flycatcher, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Dollarbird, Green Imperial Pigeon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Black Bulbul.
KALAMATIYA
It has a mature mangrove swamp with a variety of water birds. The best time to see birds is from November to March. You can also see herds of elephants. Bird life includes Cattle Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret, Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Common Snipe, Black-winged Stile. Migrant birds include Pintail, Golden Plover, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Kentish Plover, Curlew, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail.
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A herd of Elephants in Udawalawe
