Bundala national Park (BNP) lies along the coast in the low-country dry zone between the town of Hambantota and the Kiridi oya, Hambantota district, Southern Province. According to the Gazette Notification (No. 14,883 of 5 December 1969) in which the area was declared a sanctuary. The approximate geological location is between 6008’-6014 N, 81008’-81018’E (wetland site report, 1993) The park area is 3698.01 hectares (Gazette notice of 28th July, 2004). In which four brackish water lagoons occupy 2,250 ha such as Koholankala Lewaya (390 ha), Mala Lewaya (390 ha), Embilikala Lewaya (430 ha) and Bundala Lewaya (520 ha).
Climate
The park is situated within the low country dry zone and has a climate which can be classified as hot and dry (Jayawardana, 1993). The average annual rainfall for the area is 1,074 mm. Highest average monthly rainfall occurs in November. The rain pattern is closed related to the monsoon periods. The mean annual temperature is about 27.1oC with mean maximum and minimum monthly temperature of 30.2oC and 24.0oC respectively (Department of Meteorology, 1967). The relative humidity ratio in this area has been recognized as 80% (Wetland site report, 1993)
Soil and Mineral resources
According to the soil map of Sri Lanka most basically identifies the dominant soil type is “Reddish Brown Earth and Low Humic Grey soil” and “Regosols on recent beach and dune sands”.
Flora
Batharathi (1988) describes the natural vegetation of area as tropical thorn forest, Herath (1992) recorded 48 species of Angiosperm belonging to 26 families. Scrublands mainly consist of Andara (Dichrostachys cinerea), Eraminiya (Ziziphus sp.) and Karamba (Carrisa spinarum). However the invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora and Opuntia delenii are spreading in the scrubland and salt marshes. Forest is covered by typical dominants of Dry mixed ever green forests species like Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Mallithan (Salvadora persica) and Maila (Bauhinia racemosa). A small patch of mangrove is also present in Bundala lagoon area (Wetland site report, 1993).
Fauna
Park provides the shelter for Elephant, Spotted Dear, Wild Boar, and Black Napped Hare, Grey & Ruddy mongoose, Toque macaque and Porcupine, Jackal and Fishing & Rusty Spotted Cats. This park is also well known for sightings of Estuarine Crocodile and Mugger Crocodile. There are both resident and migratory bird species. Greater Flamingo, Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant and Black-necked Stork are among the large birds. Large flocks of Terns, Gulls, Sand-pipers, Snipes, Teals, Cormorants, Egret and more water bird are commonly seen (de Silva et al., 2005). Further more fish and prawn species recorded from Malala Lewaya such as Tilapia, Grey mullet, Milk fish, Cat fish, Tiger prawn etc (Jayasinghe, 1992).
Threats
Habitat destruction and fragmentation, exploitation of species, prolonged drought and spread of invasive alien species and inadequately planned land-use practices are main threats of BNP. Bundala is suffering from the spread of two invasive species of plants that are now estimated to cover some 60% of its land area. Cactus covers the ground and the scrub plant P. juliflora grows above, blocking sunlight for other plants (Nishanthi et al., 2007, Perera et al., 2007).
Ceylone Blue Magpie
The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie or Ceylon Magpie (Urocissa ornata) is a member of the Crow family living in the hill forests of Sri Lanka, where it is endemic.his is a species of a dense wet evergreen temperate rain forest. It is declining due to loss of this habitat. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is usually found in small groups of up to six or seven birds. It is largely carnivorous, eating small frogs, lizards, insects and other invertebrates, but will eat fruit. The cup-shaped stick nest is in a tree or shrub and there are usually 3–5 eggs laid. The eggs are white heavily spotted with brown. Both sexes build the nest and feed the young with only the female incubating them. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is about the same size as the European Magpie at 42–47 cm. The adults are blue with chestnut head and wings, and a long white-tipped tail. The legs and bill are red. The young bird is a duller version of the adult.
No comments:
Post a Comment