protected area central highlands sri_lanka covered grassland cloud forest plateau altitude metres rich biodiversity species found endemic region region designated national park popular tourist destination situated kilometres kilometres world famous kilometres major rivers plains known plains stone tools dating culture found plains vegetation interspersed forest includes endemic woody plants large deer feature typical mammals park species endemic sri_lanka restricted forest major threats park studies suggest caused natural phenomenon sheer baker falls tourist attractions park physical features located southern plateau central highlands sri_lanka peaks metres metres second highest sri_lanka situated west north respectively park elevation ranges metres rocks found park belong belong high series era soil type red yellow group surface layer covered decayed organic matter mean annual rainfall greater millimetres frequent cloudy cover limits sunlight available plants mean annual temperature temperature varies considerably course day reaching high day time low night southwest monsoon season wind speed reaches gale force rain falls year dry season occurs january march ground frost common february mist persist day wet season pools seen park considered important watershed sri_lanka important rivers plains feeds high elevation fog cloud deposit considerable moisture land slow moving streams swamps important wetland habitats park history original area great open plain british period plains renamed sir british governor ceylon travelled area meet regiment discovered plateau stone tools dating culture found local population resided ascended mountains gems extract iron ore construct canal fell trees timber metre core extracted revealed late period area semi arid climate species restricted plant community sir advised leave forests administrative order effect issued prevented clearing forests region designated wildlife sanctuary december biodiversity value elevated national park march peak wilderness sanctuary lies west park land area covered hectares contains extensive area cloud forest existing sri_lanka july sri_lanka incorporates peak wilderness sanctuary inscribed flora vegetation park classified distinctive groups hectares wet hectares subtropical forests nearly species plants belonging families recorded park forest canopy reaches height metres features forming communities varieties species members including layer characterised thickness vegetation development layer dwarf bamboo species found layer bushes specially grow forest margin near mountain peaks species spread sri_lanka common nearly woody plant species recorded park endemic sri_lanka frequent fire grazing communities grassland flora dominated swamps slow moving streams found low lying areas species found near slow moving streams bamboo thrive banks streams near areas grass species common grasses found wet flora include temperate species including tropical species rare endemic widespread plants park viola tree branches species old man beard hanging branches adds beauty forests species endemic notable plants include shrubs herbs tree genus belonging family recorded sri_lanka discovered conflicting views park came man natural believed dry slopes created forest clearance fires low lying areas naturally created wet conditions frost soil erosion fauna fauna region includes species mammals species birds species reptiles species amphibians elephant disappeared region 1940s latest present largest commonly seen deer research findings estimate population deer possibly carrying capacity plains species found park include long purple faced spotted cat wild stripe spotted indian giant fishing cats european visit wetlands park prey aquatic animals subspecies red slender plains slender considered found highlands sri_lanka considered world endangered july group researchers able photograph time forms sri_lanka adjacent peak wilderness sanctuary contains bird species occur sri_lanka sri_lanka blue dull blue sri_lanka white eye sri_lanka wood occur plains endemic species include sri_lanka sri_lanka yellow fronted orange billed sri_lanka bush sri_lanka birds migrate winter including alpine swift eagle mountain hawk eagle black winged falcon birds prey found migratory key wildlife area highland endemic birds found including dull blue sri_lanka white eye sri_lanka wood sri_lanka bush yellow black widespread highlands sri_lanka considered paradise world possibly species inhabit park alto observed endemic reptiles plains horn common rough sided snake rat snake fish species found park common rainbow trout introduced species home endemic crustaceans including species endemic freshwater shrimp found streams temperature degrees restricted stretch stream threats conservation management large system plains forest cover included moon plains deer hunting ground elephants hunted lesser extent period lower slopes cleared initially coffee tea plantations result isolated forest grassland areas potatoes cultivated planting ceased declared national park areas reinstated tourism related issues plant removal fires noise pollution major conservation issues gem mining timber logging collection plants ornamental medicinal purposes vehicle traffic threats spread invasive alien species threaten native flora introduced rainbow trout affected endemic species fish crustaceans deer died eating litter blocked food passages visitors banned bringing park benefited introduced grass species recent threat reported forest areas especially peripheral region severe nearly vegetation water attributed main cause frequent forest hindered frost increasingly severe forest affected species plants affected study suggested low calcium causes soil increased caused metallic elements aluminium causing nutrients resulting soil contributing tourist attractions popular tourist destination key attraction months ending august earned revenue million million park accessed roads railway stations world end sheer drop situated southern boundary park cliff known end located far baker falls formed tributary named sir hunter explorer attempted establish european agricultural settlement falls metres high known plains
Horton Plains National Park