Horagolla National Park

Horagolla National Park is one of the latest national parks in Sri Lanka. It is so called because of an abundance of Dipterocarpus zeylanicus (hora) trees.[1] The area was originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 5 September 1973 due to its rich biodiversity. Later on 24 June 2004, Horagolla was elevated to national park status. Horagolla is the only urban park in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.[2] The park is situated close to Horagolla Walauwa, the home of the Bandaranaike family.[3] The park is situated some 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Colombo.[4]

Horagolla National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location of Horagolla National Park
LocationWestern Province, Sri Lanka
Nearest cityGampaha
Coordinates7°08′22″N 80°05′08″E
Area33 hectares (0.13 sq mi)
Established1973
Governing bodyDepartment of Wildlife Conservation

Flora and fauna

Horagolla is a low-country evergreen forest.[5] The park has a humus soil structure and hot temperature persists throughout the year. Many tree species are in abundance including Dipterocarpus zeylanicus (hora), Canarium zeylanicum (kekuna), Dillenia retusa (godapara), Caryota urens (kitul), Pericopsis mooniana (nedun), Mangifera zeylanica (atamba), sacred fig, Alstonia scholaris (ruk attana), Acronychia pedunculata (ankenda), Vitex pinnata (milla), Mimusops elengi (moonamal), breadfruit and Pterospermum canescens (Velang). Also various liana Entada rheedii (pus-wel) can be seen. In the forests of the park, Gmelina arborea (ethdemata), Filicium decipiens (pihimbiya), mahogany, teak and golden shower tree (ehela) are predominant.[4]

The mammals found in the park include fishing cat, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain, golden jackal, and grizzled giant squirrel.[5] Horagolla is considered a birdwatching site.[4] The number of bird species recorded from the park is 68. The most common are parakeets, black-crested bulbul, barbets, and Asian koel. Some of the other bird species seen in the park include Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, Layard's parakeet and Oriental dwarf kingfisher. The rare clipper, Ceylon birdwing and blue Mormon are the butterflies known from the park. Many threatened species including tortoises are found in Horagolla.[1] Pythons and cobras are among the many reptiles found in the park.

See also

References
  1. Gampaha group correspondent (15 October 2004). "Horagolla declared wildlife sanctuary". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  2. The National Atlas of Sri Lanka (2nd ed.). Department of Survey. 2007. p. 86. ISBN 955-9059-04-1.
  3. Jayawardene, Jayantha (1 May 2006). "Game Reserves and National Parks". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  4. Sugathapala, Jayaweera (13 August 2004). "National Park status for Horagolla Sanctuary". Daily News. Archived from the original on 30 October 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  5. Wickramage, Florence (5 April 2005). "Horagolla National Park open from today". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
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