It’s Our Responsibility To Conserve This Common Heritage!

Features

Weeramanthry International Centre for Peace Education and Research (WICPER)

organized a Training For Trusteeship (TFT) workshop on

“Understanding the duties towards our common heritage”

in collaborative with Department of Wildlife Conservation and Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO held on 28th April to 01st of May 2011 at Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) along with TFT volunteers/alumni representing different geographical location of the country.
HPNP is designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO which forms one part of the central highlands of Sri Lanka (The other two world heritage sites are Knuckles range and the peak wilderness). Horton Plains is the highest plateau in Sri Lanka and Its elevation ranges between 1800m to 2300m and encompasses 3162 hectares of land. Sri Lanka’s 2nd and 3rd highest peaks Kirigalpoththa and Thotupola Kanda respectively are located in this region. This wonderful landscape has become one of the world best nature reserves and eco-tourism venues. It has a unique and beautiful landscape of rolling hills covered with upper montane forest and wet patana grassland in a mosaic manner. A narrow transition zone or ectone of shrubs and herbs are clearly seen between the montane forest and the grassland. Filigree  Baker’s Falls, Hazy worlds end and wavy mountains adds an aesthetic value to this wonder land.
Horton Plains is a home for diverse animals and plants. Many of which are endemic to Sri Lanka. In-terms of biodiversity it is well known as Ultra hot spots. Greater Structural Complexity of the cloud forming forest provides wider range of micro habitat for micro to macro creatures. Wet Climatic condition provide excellent habitat for amphibians. Almost all of them are endemic to Sri Lanka. Ex- Rana temporalis(frog species), Philautus alto (frog species). Common Roughside is a non-poisonous endemic snake, rhino-Horned lizard and black cheeked lizards are some of the reptiles found in this zone. Different types of birds species are found and most of them are endemic to Sri Lanka. Ex- Sri Lanka white eye, Sri Lanka yellow eared  bulbul etc. We were lucky enough to locate the Sri Lanka whistling thrush, (Common Name- Arenga) it is a shy bird and active during the hazy early mornings. Horton plain is the paradise for one of the world’s most endangered endemic primate red slender loris (Loris tardigradus). Purple faced leaf monkey, Sambar and fishing cat are some of the mammals found commonly.

Today this vital laboratory is under threat. Large number of visitors and invasive introduced species have become a threat for the survival of endemic and indigenous species. Forest die back has become a serious issue. In them partially or completely dead branches are seen. The exact course is still unknown. Dr.D.S.A.Wijesundara, the director general of Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, added this may be due to micro climatic changes, water stress or air pollution. Forest dieback phenomenon evidence the disappearance of cloud forming forest. Palynology expert from university of Peradeniya Dr. Premathilaka’s research studies shows a red light to the superior cloud forming forest. In near future there is a high possibility of disappearance of montane forest. He further added “We, The smart people can delay the disappearance of this unique eco-system”. Few other research studies prove dwarf bamboo (Arundinaria densifolia), an endemic species rapidly expanding as cancer in the patana grassland and rapid increment of Samber may have an impact on food chain and environmental degradation.
At the end of the workshop we realized that we, the youth the bigger responsibility of conserving this world heritage for future generations. During the program we enjoyed the beauty and peace of the plains.