of the island. They are divided into three
types: strict nature reserves (no visitors
allowed), national parks (visits under fixed
conditions) and nature reserves (human
habitation permitted). Sri Lanka also has
two marine sanctuaries – the Bar Reef (west
of Kalpitiya peninsula) and Hikkaduwa
National Park.Off the Beaten Track
A full 82% of Sri Lanka’s land is controlled
by the state in some form or another, and
is therefore subject to a raft of legislation
to combat destructive activity and protect
sensitive areas like the scores of natural
forests. The table above only includes infor-
mation about 11 of the national parks and
three other green spaces from among the 63
sanctuaries, a long list of forest reserves and
countless wetlands both with and without
official titles.
Given the overcrowding at some of the
better-known natural areas, new atten-
tion has been directed to other deserving
national parks, such as Lunugamvehera
(which serves as a link between Yala and
Uda Walawa National Parks and allows
elephants to pass between the two) as an
alternative to Yala, and Wasgomuwa, in-
stead of Gal Oya or Minneriya.
Sri Lanka is a signatory to the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands, which currently
recognises three coastal zones. These in-
clude Bundala National Park and the
915-hectare Madu Ganga Estuary near
Balapitiya, which is 80km south of Colombo
on the A2, and site of one of the last pristine
mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. There isalso the Annaivilundawa Tanks Wildlife
Sanctuary, just west of the A3 and about
100km north of Colombo, a cluster of an-
cient, manmade, freshwater reservoirs that
are now a safe haven for awesome wetland
biodiversity.
For further listings of out-of-the-way
green escapes, contact the government
conservation departments or consult
LOCALternative Sri Lanka (www.local
ternative.com).When to Go
Sri Lanka is a year-round wildlife-watching
destination but generally the best times
correspond with the main November-to-
April tourist season. At this time of year all
the big parks are open and the dry condi-
tions mean that animals start to gather
around water holes, making them easier to
spot (this is especially so between February
and early April). If you come in the May-to-
October southwest monsoon season, head
to the parks around the Ancient Cities and
in the east of the island.How to Book
For all the major national parks and
other protected areas, organising a safari
couldn’t be easier. Groups of safari jeep
drivers can normally be found in the near-
est town or gathered outside the gates,
and hotels can also organise safaris. It’s
normally just a case of turning up the
evening before and discussing a price and
your needs. Entry fees to all parks are paid
directly at entrance gates.FIELD GUIDES & WILDLIFE BOOKS
There are plenty of good field guides out there. These are some of our favourites:
A Photographic Guide to Mammals of Sri Lanka (Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne)
This well-known Sri Lankan naturalist has also published extensively on the coun-
try’s birds and butterflies, among other things.
A Selection of the Birds of Sri Lanka (John and Judy Banks) A slim, well-illustrat-
ed tome that’s perfect for amateur birdwatchers.
A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka (John Harrison) A pricier hardback with
colour illustrations; one of the best field guides available.
The Nature of Sri Lanka With stunning photographs by L Nadaraja, this is a collec-
tion of essays about Sri Lanka by eminent writers and conservationists.
What Tree Is That? (Sriyanie Miththapala and PA Miththapala) Contains handy
sketches of common trees and shrubs in Sri Lanka, and includes English, Sinhala
and botanical names.PLAN YOUR TRIP
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