EPISODE 13 – Ritigala Nature Reserve

Ritigala area has been declared on 7th November 1941 as a Strict Reserve covering an area of ​​5.29 sq. Km (1528 ha) under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. This is a strictly reserved national reserve for the survival of wildlife and natural ecosystems, with no access to tourism facilities or any human activity. Scientific research can only be carried out in a strict nature reserve with the special permission of the Director General of Wildlife.

This unique place is located in the North Central Arid Zone of Sri Lanka and has a long history with the human history of the island. Ritigala, which now dates back to about 2434 years, was a battle front of Prince Pandukabhaya even before Anuradhapura, the first kingdom in the history of the country. This land was the center of his battle with his uncles. It is well known that in ancient times kings such as Pandukabhaya, Suratissa and Lajjatissa used Ritigala for military purposes and for protection. The significance of Ritigala in modern times is further enhanced by its Brahmi inscriptions. The Ritigala inscriptions are of similarly important as the cave inscriptions found at Mihintale and Vessagiriya. The value of this place further increased with the attention of scholars such as Sir Senarath Paranavithana, a pioneer in the study of inscriptions in the country. Abundant with 152 inscriptions, 74 caves and 140 archeological sites found at Ritigala, the remains of an ancient Ayurvedic hospital, walkways and winter chambers remain in this cultural heritage.

This mountain range consists of three types of forests. The lower part of the range is a dry mixed evergreen forest, the middle part of the range is the tropical highland forest and the highest is the highland forest. Mount Ritigala was formed by 2000 million years of climate change. Although the surrounding area was eroded and turned into a plain, Ritigala was not, as it was composed of hard rock, quartzite, and marble, which are resistant to erosion.

In terms of climate, this mountain is located in the low plains of the dry zone. However, Ritigala is characterized by its own climate type. Although the surrounding plains have a very hot climate, Mount Ritigala has a very cold climate. Ritigala receives rainfall from the Northeast and Southwest monsoon winds. Annual rainfall is around 1482 mm and the region experiences a very humid climate during the months of October-November and a severe dry climate during the months of June-September. The average temperature is 28 0C.

10% of the total plant species found Sri Lanka is spread over in this land which is 0.0237% of the total area of the country. This small mountain has an ecological characteristic that allows the origin of plant species and animal species that do not exist in any part of the world. Legend has it that part of the medicine rock that Hanuman had brought from India to heal Rama during the Rama-Ravana war had fallen on Ritigala. It is also said that there are various fruits such as Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), pineapple (Ananas comosos), lime (Citrus species), orange as well as rare medicinal plants such as Iruraja (Zeuxine regia), Sandaraja (Fittonia verschaffeltii) and Bim Kohomba (Munronia pinnata) all over Ritigala.

About 100 species of birds such as Sri Lanka Jungle fowl (Gallus lafayettii), Sri lanka Spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata), Crimson-Fronted Barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus),  Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), Blue – face malkoha  (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris), Sri Lanka Black – capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus), Sri Lanka Myna (Gracula ptilogenys) Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus), Sri Lanka Spot-Winged Thrush (Geokichla spiloptera) live in this forest.

Also mammal species like Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Sloth bear (Ursus ursinus), Leopard (Panthera parduskotiya), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), Barking Deer (Muntiacusmuntijak), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Common langur (Semnopithecus entellus) Toque Monkey (Macaca sinica), jackal (Canis aureus), Gray Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerrianus), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) Rusty- spot (Prionailurus rubiginosus)  as well as many other wildlife that live here.

About 50 species of colorful butterflies, 20 species of fish, 16 species of reptiles and 16 species of snails have been recorded in here.

Ritigala is a mountain range close to Anuradhapura in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. It is located at a distance of about 42 km from Anuradhapura. The distance from Dambulla to Ritigala is 28 km and from Anuradhapura to Ritigala distance is 37 km. The distance from Ganewalpola to the entrance of the archeological site is about 9 km. The easiest way to reach the Ritigala Strict Reserve is near the Bandapokuna.

Mount Ritigala, the highest mountain between the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and the mountains of South India, is protected and managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation under strict regulations.

Sources:

Wildlife Magazine 2011

Varana Magazine

Diyadama Magazine 2000

Wikipedia