Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
utilization together with the preservation of natural potential must be
developed and implemented in order to preserve the values of the unique
tropical highlands.
Values of the Sri Lankan Highlands
Rich in biodiversity
Highlands of Sri Lanka have been recognized as one of the most beautiful
tropical highland areas in the world. The World Heritage Committee, held
its 34th session in Brasília, in 2010 proclaimed this area as one of the World
Heritage Sites. The site comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the
Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These
are the rain forests at an elevation of 2,500 m (8,200 ft.) above sea level. They
is rich in biodiversity: more than half of Sri Lanka's endemic vertebrates,
half of the country's endemic fl owering plants and more than 34% of its
endemic trees, shrubs, and herbs are restricted to these diverse mountain
rain forests and adjoining grassland areas (UNESCO 2012).
These Highlands are richly endowed with biological resources
manifested in a wide range of ecosystems, such as montane forests,
evergreen forests (in the lower parts of the highlands), inland wetlands,
savanna grasslands and riparian ecosystems (Gunatillake et al. 2008, ME and
NR 2007). Besides UNESCO, Conservation International (CI) environment
activist group has identifi ed this area as one of 25 biodiversity hotspots in the
world. Indeed, the wet zone and highland consists a quarter of Sri Lanka's
territory, containing, 88% of the fl owering plants of the island and 95% of its
angiosperm endemics. There are more than 450 known bird species in the
hotspot, of which about 35 are endemic. More than 20 species are endemic
to Sri Lanka, mostly are from the lowland rainforests and montane forests
of the island's southwestern region. Both the Western Ghats in India and
the island of Sri Lanka are considered as Endemic Bird Areas by Birdlife
International ([CI] Conservation International 2012).
Kandy is the second largest city with in Central Highland, Sri Lanka
and its history extends far beyond the colonial period. Most of the British
governors preferred Kandy's cool climate for their local residences. The
British governor Sir Edward Barnes (1824-1831) was known for encouraging
human settlements in Sri Lanka's Central Highlands: its climate is close
to the climate of Britain and it was considered as the second home for
the British. Nuwara Eliya
Barnes Hall
, for example, which is an exclusive
hotel today, was originally built as a recreation and hunting post. The
British Governor William Gregory further developed the outpost Nuwara
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