Minneriya National Park
Encyclopedia
Minneriya National Park is a national park
in North Central Province
of Sri Lanka
. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary
in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment
of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen
in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant
population dwelling in forests of Matale
, Polonnaruwa
, and Trincomalee
districts. The park earned revenue of Rs. 10.7 millions in the six months ending in August 2009. Along with Kaudulla and Girithale, Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Area
s (IBAs) of Sri Lanka. The park is situated 182 kilometres (113.1 mi) from Colombo
.
s, scrublands
, abandoned chena
lands, grassland
s, rocky outcrops
, and wetland
s.
, Manilkara hexandra
, Neem
(Azadirachta indica), Azadirachta indica, Sacred fig
(Ficus religiosa), and Bauhinia racemosa floral species common in the area surrounding the Minneriya tank. Chloroxylon swietenia
, Vitex altissima, Berrya cordifolia
, Diospyros quaesita, and Drypetes sepiaria are the dominant plant species of Minneriya. Randia dumetorum, Crotons
, and Calotropis gigantea
are common in abandoned chena cultivations and scrublands. Plantations of Eucalyptus
and Teak
by Department of Forest Conservation can be seen within the park. The grass species are Bambusa bambos, Ceylon Date Palm (Phoenix pusilla
), Imperata cylindrica, and Panicum maximum.
s are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd of elephants. Individuals of elephants gathered here is numbering around 150-200. Some reports account number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefited from food and shelter of the park's forest. Tourists visit Minneriya largely because of elephants, especially in dry season.
The park is also important habitat for the two endemic monkeys
of Sri Lanka, Purple-faced Langur
and Toque Macaque
. Large
herbivorous mammals
such as Sri Lankan Sambar Deer
and Sri Lankan Axis Deer
also frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan Leopard and Sri Lankan Sloth Bear
also inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of areas that the Gray Slender Loris
is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as Lesser Adjutant
, Painted Stork
, and Spot-billed Pelican
. Minneriya is a dormitory
for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Instances of occurring a flock of 2000 Little Cormorant
s have been reported. Great White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone
, and Grey Heron
are the other water birds can be seen here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka Junglefowl
, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
, Brown-capped Babbler
, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
, Black-crested Bulbul
and Crimson-fronted Barbet
. Number of threatened
birds recorded from national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla
and Polypedates cruciger
have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip Lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater Crocodile
, Indian python, Water monitor
, and Bengal monitor
are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya is endemic to Sri Lanka.
and the practice might be resulted in decreasing the levels of water of the reservoir. Water pollution
in bathing areas, encroachment, illegal agricultural practices, overfishing
, poaching
are the other threats caused by man. Spread of invasive
Lantana camara
is a natural threat. The area is also part of Minneriya-Giritale Nature Reserve which declared in four stages from 1988 to 1997. Conservative measures including
habitat restoration and removing livestock from the area, have been proposed.
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in North Central Province
North Central Province, Sri Lanka
North Central Province is a province of Sri Lanka. Its capital is Anuradhapura. The province is not densely populated with a weak economy, as the land tends to be dry tropical woodlands.-History:...
of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary
Wildlife refuge
A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, may be a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition, or it may refer to a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected...
in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen
Mahasena of Sri Lanka
Mahasen, also known in some records as Mahasena, was a king of Sri Lanka who ruled the country from 275 to 301 AD. He started the construction of large tanks or reservoirs in Sri Lanka, and built sixteen such tanks...
in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant
Sri Lankan Elephant
The Sri Lankan Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian Elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
population dwelling in forests of Matale
Matale District
Matale District is a district in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its area is 1,987 km².- Demographics :The population according to 2001 census is 441,328. 80.1 % of the population are Sinhalese, 8.7 % Sri Lankan Moors, 5.5 % native Sri Lankan tamils and 5.3 % tamils of...
, Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa District
Polonnaruwa is a district in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its area is 3,403 km²....
, and Trincomalee
Trincomalee District
Trincomalee district is one of the 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka. The district is administered by a District Secretariat headed by a District Secretary appointed by the central government of Sri Lanka...
districts. The park earned revenue of Rs. 10.7 millions in the six months ending in August 2009. Along with Kaudulla and Girithale, Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Area
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
s (IBAs) of Sri Lanka. The park is situated 182 kilometres (113.1 mi) from Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
.
Physical features
The area is situated in dry zone of Sri Lanka and receives an average rainfall of 1500–2000 mm (59.1–78.7 in). The lowest temperature and highest of the park are 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) and 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) respectively. The main sources of water for the tank are a diversion of Amban River and Elahera canal. The wet season lasts during the north eastern monsoon from October to January and from May to September considered as the dry season. The main habitats of Minneriya are of several types, including low-canopy montane forests, intermediate high-canopy secondary forestSecondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
s, scrublands
Shrubland
Shrubland, scrubland, scrub or brush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or be the result of human activity...
, abandoned chena
Shifting cultivation
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned. This system often involves clearing of a piece of land followed by several years of wood harvesting or farming, until the soil loses fertility...
lands, grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
s, rocky outcrops
Outcrop
An outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the Earth. -Features:Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most places the bedrock or superficial deposits are covered by a mantle of soil and vegetation and cannot be...
, and wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s.
Flora
Terminalia arjunaTerminalia arjuna
Terminalia arjuna is a tree of the genus Terminalia.-Description:...
, Manilkara hexandra
Manilkara hexandra
Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the Sapotaceae family that is native to much of south Asia Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the Sapotaceae family that is native to much of south Asia Manilkara hexandra is a species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the...
, Neem
Neem
Azadirachta indica is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil...
(Azadirachta indica), Azadirachta indica, Sacred fig
Sacred Fig
The Sacred Fig, Ficus religiosa, or Bo-Tree , Peepal is a species of banyan fig native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, southwest China and Indochina...
(Ficus religiosa), and Bauhinia racemosa floral species common in the area surrounding the Minneriya tank. Chloroxylon swietenia
Chloroxylon
Chloroxylon swietenia is a tropical hardwood, the sole species in the genus Chloroxylon...
, Vitex altissima, Berrya cordifolia
Berrya cordifolia
Berrya cordifolia is a species of tree native to much of Southeast Asia and introduced to Africa. It occurs in the forests of Christmas Island....
, Diospyros quaesita, and Drypetes sepiaria are the dominant plant species of Minneriya. Randia dumetorum, Crotons
Croton (genus)
Croton is an extensive flowering plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, established by Carl Linnaeus in 1737. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also...
, and Calotropis gigantea
Calotropis gigantea
Calotropis gigantea is a species of Calotropis native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and China....
are common in abandoned chena cultivations and scrublands. Plantations of Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
and Teak
Teak
Teak is the common name for the tropical hardwood tree species Tectona grandis and its wood products. Tectona grandis is native to south and southeast Asia, mainly India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma, but is naturalized and cultivated in many countries, including those in Africa and the...
by Department of Forest Conservation can be seen within the park. The grass species are Bambusa bambos, Ceylon Date Palm (Phoenix pusilla
Phoenix pusilla
Phoenix pusilla or Ceylon Date Palm is a species of flowering plant in the palm family, endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka , they are found in lowlands, ridges and hills. No taller than 5 m, this species is usually solitary stemmed but clumps do occur naturally...
), Imperata cylindrica, and Panicum maximum.
Fauna
The national park's faunal species include 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies."Elephant gathering"
Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephantSri Lankan Elephant
The Sri Lankan Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian Elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
s are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd of elephants. Individuals of elephants gathered here is numbering around 150-200. Some reports account number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefited from food and shelter of the park's forest. Tourists visit Minneriya largely because of elephants, especially in dry season.
The park is also important habitat for the two endemic monkeys
Old World monkey
The Old World monkeys or Cercopithecidae are a group of primates, falling in the superfamily Cercopithecoidea in the clade Catarrhini. The Old World monkeys are native to Africa and Asia today, inhabiting a range of environments from tropical rain forest to savanna, shrubland and mountainous...
of Sri Lanka, Purple-faced Langur
Purple-faced Langur
The purple-faced langur , or purple-faced leaf monkey, is a species of Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka.This is a long-tailed arboreal species, mainly brown with a dark facemask and paler lower face...
and Toque Macaque
Toque Macaque
The toque macaque is a reddish-brown coloured Old World monkey endemic to both Sri Lanka, where it is locally known as the 'Rilewa' or 'Rilawa'...
. Large
Megafauna
In terrestrial zoology, megafauna are "giant", "very large" or "large" animals. The most common thresholds used are or...
herbivorous mammals
Herbivore
Herbivores are organisms that are anatomically and physiologically adapted to eat plant-based foods. Herbivory is a form of consumption in which an organism principally eats autotrophs such as plants, algae and photosynthesizing bacteria. More generally, organisms that feed on autotrophs in...
such as Sri Lankan Sambar Deer
Sri lankan Sambar Deer
Sri Lankan Sambar Deer is a sub-species of Sambar Deer that lives in Sri Lanka. This subspecies is one of the largest Sambar Deer species with the largest antlers both in size and in body proportions. Large males weight up to 270-280 kg. Sri Lankan Sambar occurs in lowland dry forest, montane forest...
and Sri Lankan Axis Deer
Sri lankan axis deer
The Sri Lankan axis deer or Ceylon Spotted Deer is a subspecies of axis deer that inhabits only Sri Lanka. The name chital is not used in Sri Lanka...
also frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan Leopard and Sri Lankan Sloth Bear
Sri Lankan Sloth Bear
The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is a subspecies of the Sloth Bear. It is found mainly in lowland dry forests in the Island of Sri Lanka....
also inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of areas that the Gray Slender Loris
Gray Slender Loris
The gray slender loris is a species of primate in the Loridae family. It is found in India and Sri Lanka. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss...
is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as Lesser Adjutant
Lesser Adjutant
The Lesser Adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is resident breeder in southern Asia from India east to southern China and Java....
, Painted Stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
, and Spot-billed Pelican
Spot-billed Pelican
The Spot-billed Pelican or Grey Pelican is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes...
. Minneriya is a dormitory
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Instances of occurring a flock of 2000 Little Cormorant
Little Cormorant
The Little Cormorant is a member of the Cormorant family of seabirds: Aptly named, the Little Cormorant is small in comparison with other cormorants, only 55 cm in length with an average mass of 442.5 g...
s have been reported. Great White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone
The Ruddy Turnstone is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. It is now classified in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family Charadriidae...
, and Grey Heron
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
are the other water birds can be seen here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka Junglefowl
Sri Lanka Junglefowl
The Sri Lankan Junglefowl , also known during the colonial era as the Ceylon Junglefowl, is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is the national bird. It is closely related to the Red Junglefowl , the wild junglefowl from which the chicken was domesticated...
, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot is a small parrot which is a resident endemic breeder in Sri Lanka.-Description:The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot is a small, mainly green hanging parrot, only 13 cm long with a short tail. The adult has a red crown and rump. The nape and back have on orange tint. The...
, Brown-capped Babbler
Brown-capped Babbler
The Brown-capped Babbler is an Old World babbler. The Old World babblers are a large family of passerine birds characterised by soft fluffy plumage. These are birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety in southeast Asia.The Brown-capped Babbler is an endemic resident breeding bird in Sri...
, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
The Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is a hornbill and a widespread and common endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka. Hornbills are a family of tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World....
, Black-crested Bulbul
Black-crested Bulbul
The Black-crested Bulbul, Pycnonotus melanicterus, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent including in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, and eastwards in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia....
and Crimson-fronted Barbet
Crimson-fronted Barbet
Crimson-fronted Barbet or Ceylon Small Barbet or Small Barbet is an Asian barbet endemic to Sri Lanka. The Malabar Barbet endemic to the Western Ghats of India used to be treated as a subspecies of this species. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical...
. Number of threatened
Threatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
birds recorded from national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla
Fejervarya pulla
Fejervarya pulla is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is endemic to Malaysia.Its natural habitats are freshwater marshes and intermittent freshwater marches.-Source:* Ohler, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 23 July 2007.-External links:*...
and Polypedates cruciger
Polypedates cruciger
Polypedates cruciger is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marches,...
have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip Lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater Crocodile
Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile, also known as estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile, is the largest of all living reptiles...
, Indian python, Water monitor
Water monitor
The Water monitor, is a large species of monitor lizard capable of growing to in length, with the average size of most adults at long. Maximum weight of Varanus salvator can be over , but most are half that size. Their body is muscular with a long, powerful, laterally compressed tail...
, and Bengal monitor
Bengal monitor
The Bengal monitor or common Indian monitor, is a monitor lizard found widely distributed over South Asia. This large lizard is mainly terrestrial, and grows to about 175 cm from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail...
are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Threats and conservation
The main threat to the park's forest is clearance for firewoodFirewood
Firewood is any wood-like material that is gathered and used for fuel. Generally, firewood is not highly processed and is in some sort of recognizable log or branch form....
and the practice might be resulted in decreasing the levels of water of the reservoir. Water pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
in bathing areas, encroachment, illegal agricultural practices, overfishing
Overfishing
Overfishing occurs when fishing activities reduce fish stocks below an acceptable level. This can occur in any body of water from a pond to the oceans....
, poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
are the other threats caused by man. Spread of invasive
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
Lantana camara
Lantana camara
Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag or West Indian Lantana, is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the American tropics. It has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is considered an invasive species in many...
is a natural threat. The area is also part of Minneriya-Giritale Nature Reserve which declared in four stages from 1988 to 1997. Conservative measures including
habitat restoration and removing livestock from the area, have been proposed.