Udawattekelle Sanctuary – Forest Reserve

 

The forest reserve on the hillside behind the Tooth Relic Temple called as “Udawattekelle” or the Royal Forest Park. During the Kandyan Kingdom era,  Udawattekelle was called as “Uda wasala Watte” meaning as the Upper Palace Garden and used as the pleasure garden for the Royal Family.

This forest played the role of a green belt to provide security to the Kandyan Kingdom during the Kandyan era. This evergreen tropical wet forest is in an extent of 257 acres. During the Kandyan kingdom era, it was prohibited to the public and also known as Tahanchchi kelle “forbidden forest”.

Since the downfall of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, the forest reserve started to lose its forest size and the pristine condition due to deforestation for timber and other human activities. The government in 1856 declared it as a forest reserve and in 1938 made it a sanctuary. Now it is opened to tourists, schoolchildren, researchers, bird watchers and for local visitors.

The sanctuary is famous for its avifauna. Variety of plant species, lianas, shrubs and small trees. There are several giant lianas. Many of small and medium size mammals living here. Several kinds of snakes and other reptiles seen here.

In a survey done in the year 2013,some information about fauna, the research  identified that there are 58 indigenous tree species (7 endemic), 61 indigenous shrubs and small tree species (7 endemic)31 endemic herbs (3 endemic) of which 12 are orchids,57 indigenous lianas, creepers and vines (4 endemic).

Little bit information about fauna, Udawatte Kelle is famous for bird watching and there are about 80 bird species in the sanctuary and there are some endemic bird species like Layard’s parakeet, Yellow – fronted barbet, brown – capped babbler and Sri Lankan hanging parrot with some other rare birds can be seen here.

Also mammals like “torque macaque”, “golden palm civet”, mouse deer, slender loris, dusky palm squirrel,Indian muntjac, Indian boar,porcupines, ruddy mongoose,great false vampire bats and reptiles and amphibians like  common hump – nose pit viper, green vine snake, green pit viper, Sri Lankan cat snake, cobras, forest lizards, Sri Lankan Kangaroo lizard, Whistling Lizard many skinks like, geckos, frogs, and toads, butterflies, Sri Lnkan ornamental tarantula, fireflies, beetles bees and wasps endemic and snails.

 

 

Other Information:

Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm

Telephone number: +94 81 223 2873