Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 country's birds
and butterflies, among other things.
A Selection of the Birds of Sri Lanka
(John and Judy Banks) A slim, well-illustrated
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 collection 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.
National Parks & Reserves
More than 2000 years ago, enlightened royalty declared certain land areas off limits to any
human activity. Almost every province in the ancient kingdom of Kandy had such
udawat-
takelle
(sanctuaries). All animals and plants in these reserves were left undisturbed.
Today's system of parks and reserves is mostly an amalgamation of traditionally protec-
ted areas, reserves established by the British, and newly gazetted areas set aside for things
like elephant corridors. There are more than 100 of these areas under government guard,
covering approximately 8% of the island. They are divided into three types: strict nature
reserves (no visitors allowed), national parks (visits under fixed conditions) and nature re-
serves (human habitation permitted). Sri Lanka also has two marine sanctuaries - the Bar
Reef (west of Kalpitiya peninsula) and Hikkaduwa National Park.
