IUCN Management Category IV (Managed Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 4.13.04 (Ceylonese Monsoon Forest)

Geographical Location Lies in the centre of the western ridge of the Central Highlands, north-east of Ratnapura, and straddles the border between Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces. To the north is the tea-growing area of Hatton Plateau. 6°44'-6°54'N, 80°25'-80°49'E

Date and History of Establishment 25 October 1940

Area 22,380ha. Horton Plains National Park (3,160ha) adjoins the eastern boundary.

Land Tenure State, including state-owned tea and forest plantations

Altitude The Peak Wilderness Range rises steeply from the southern lowlands (50m) near Ratnapura to a plateau, averaging 600m and interrupted by such mountains as Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) at 2,238m.

Physical Features It is an important watershed for three major river systems: the Kelani Ganga, which flows north-westwards; the Kalu Ganga, which flows southwards and supplies Ratnapura; and the Walawe Ganga, which drains into the Uda Walawe Reservoir to the south-east. Underlying the entire area is the Highland Series of pre-Cambrian rocks, which are highly crystalline and non-fossiliferous. Soils are red-yellow podzols.

Climate Peak Wilderness has been described as "the most constantly wet part of Asia west of Borneo" (Greller et al., 1987). Mean annual rainfall is 5123mm at Hapugastenne Estate (594m), 3081mm and at Maskeliya Hospital (1,280m). Mean annual temperature ranges between 27.2°C in Ratnapura (40m) and 15.4°C in Nuwara Eliya (1,900m).

Vegetation Peak Wilderness is one of the few remaining areas in Sri Lanka with continuous tracts of altitudinally graded forest, ranging from lowland rain forest to high altitude cloud forest. Lowland forest is restricted to a few small areas on the lower slopes of the Peak Wilderness Range. The continuous, 30-40m high canopy is interrupted in places by taller individual emergents rising to 60m. Dipterocarpaceae (Dipterocarpus, Shorea and endemic species of Doona) predominate, interspersed with representatives of the genera Cullenia, Mesua, Palaquium and Semicarpus. Due to the dense nature of the canopy, the shrub layer is poorly developed. Gaps in the canopy, both natural and man-induced, are invaded by saplings of Calamus sp., which form impenetrable thickets. From 600m to 900m the lowland forest gradually gives way to montane rain forest, characterised by a lower canopy of Doona and Stemonoporus rigidus (rediscovered in 1981) with Garcinia echinocarpa and the vine Leucocodon zeylanicum. Shorea gardneri survives on the more sheltered slopes up to an altitude of 1700mm, the known limit for thistropical dipterocarp in Asia. Other species growing with Doona include Litsea sp., Actinodaphne sp. and Cinnamomum, Syzygium spp., Myristica dactyloides, Fahrenheitia (Ostodes) zeylanica, Semecarpus nigroviridis and Palaquium rubiginosum.

Montane cloud forest, which occurs above 1,700m, is confined to a narrow strip along the ridge line and slopes of Adams Peak. Its composition differs considerably from that of the high altitude forests of the Nilgiris and Palnis in nearby South India and is characterised by Calophyllum walkeri and C. trapezifolium. Extensive marshland occurs on the plateau, together with stunted trees of Syzygium revolutum and Gordonia speciosa and shrubs such as Hedyotis spp. and Osbeckia walkeri. Typical marshland species include rush Juncus prismatocarpus, sedges Scirpus fluitans and Carex sp., grass Garnotia mutica, clubmoss Lycopodium carolinianum and ferns Histiopteris sp. and Gleichenia (Dicranopteris) linearis. Characteristic flowering plants are Impatiens spp., Exacum walkeri, Sonerila spp., Vernonia spp., Senecio ludens, Emilia glabra and orchid Phalus tancarrvilleae. A small population of the uncommon Burmannia coelestis is present, as well as several interesting species of Eriocaulon (Greller et al, 1981). The flat areas of the plateau and the hilly spurs support communities of Garcinia echinocarpa, in association with prickly palm Oncosperma fasciculatum and with a straggling undergrowth of Strobilanthes brushwood. A noteworthy shrub is the bushy Schumacheria alnifolia, endemic to Sri Lanka, which is host to the climbing Freycinetia spp.

Fauna Elephant Elephas maximus (E) has virtually disappeared from the region, but a remnant population, estimated at 30-50 individuals, still survives in the sanctuary (Hoffmann, pers. comm., 1988). Mammals still present in reasonable numbers include Kelaart's long-clawed shrew Feroculus feroculus (a monotypic genus endemic to the montane regions of Sri Lanka), toque macaque Macaca sinica (endemic), purple-faced langur Presbytis senex and leopard Panthera pardus (T). The contiguous areas of Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Horton Plains Nature Reserve contain all 21 species of bird endemic to the country, of which Sri Lanka coucal Centropus chlororhynchus and white-headed mynah Sturnus senex occur only in the former. One of the strongholds of the greatly endangered broad-billed roller Eurystomus orientalis is the southern periphery of the sanctuary, which is subject to cultivation (Hoffmann, 1984). Among invertebrates, the Sri Lankan relict ant Aneuretus simoni (K) is reported from the area (Wells et al., 1983).

Cultural Heritage Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) is sacred and for centuries has attracted Buddhist, Hindu and Moslem alike. It is thought that pilgrims used to travel via Horton Plains along the ridge of Peak Wilderness to reach Sri Pada, a route that is no longer evident (Werner, 1982). According to legend, the tomb of Adam is found here. Also present is the outline of a footprint, claimed by some to be that of Gantama Buddha and by others to be that of Siva (Holugalla, 1973).

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities Large numbers of pilgrims andtourists visit Sri Pada. Facilities are limited to tea stalls along the trails to Sri Pada during the pilgrimage season.

Scientific Research and Facilities Includes studies of floristic composition and the status of Stemonoporus-dominated forests (Greller et al., 1981, 1985, 1987).

Conservation Value Peak Wilderness is considered to be the most valuable conservation area in Sri Lanka, with the highest number of endemics, notably birds, reptiles and amphibians, and the greatest biological diversity due to altitudinal and climatic factors. Together with adjoining forest reserves, such as Gilimale and Kelani Valley, it covers the entire range of Wet Zone forests from the foothills right up to the highest peaks (Hoffmann, 1984, 1988).

Conservation Management It has been suggested that a new Highland National Park be established, comprising Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and the adjacent Horton Plains National Park. It is considered that this site merits inscription on the World Heritage List. Various extensions and alterations to the existing boundaries have been recommended, to enhance the biological integrity of the site (Hoffmann, 1988).

Management Constraints The main encroachments are the planting (pine and eucalyptus plantations) and felling activities of the Forest Department, carried out in direct contravention of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. By comparison, encroachments by villagers are negligible and confined mostly to the Maliboda area on the western boundary (Hoffmann, 1984, 1988). The annual pilgrimage to Adam's Peak, when thousands of tea stalls and shops are erected along the route, is a source of considerable disturbance and results in the cutting of forest and unsightly litter (Hoffmann, 1988). Former gem mining activities have disturbed the marshland habitat on the plateau, by interfering with normal hydrological processes, but these gem pits are gradually being recolonised by the vegetation (Greller et al., 1981). However, gem mining persists (T.W. Hoffmann, pers. comm., 1986).

Staff Eleven

Budget No information

Local Addresses

Game Ranger, Sri Palabaddala

References

Greller, A.M., Balasubramaniam, S., Gunatilleke, S. and Gunatilleke, I.A.U.N. (1981). A botanical excursion across Peak Wilderness. Loris 15: 263-264, 276.

Greller, A.M., Balasubramaniam, S., Gunatilleke, S., Gunatilleke, N. and Jayasuriya, A.H.M. (1985). Exploring for Stemonoporus (Dipterocarpaceae) forests in the Peak Wilderness. Loris 17: 5-7.

Greller, A.M., Gunatilleke, I.A.U.N., Jayasuriya, A.H.M., Gunatilleke, C.V.S., Balasubramaniam, S., and Dassanayake, M.D. (1987). Stemonoporus (Dipterocarpaceae)-dominated montane forests in the Adam's Peak Wilderness, Sri Lanka. Journal of Tropical Ecology 3: 243-253.

Hoffmann, T.W. (1984). National red data list of endangered and rare birds of Sri Lanka. Ceylon Bird Club and Wild Life and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Hoffmann, T.W. (1988). Report on the southern and western boundaries of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. Unpublished report to Secretary, Ministry of State. 10 pp.

Hulugalla, H.A. (1973). Guide to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). 2nd edition. Lake House Investments, Colombo. Pp. 97-98.

Schmidt-Kraepelin, E. (1973). Peak Wilderness - Wasserscheide der vier Strome. Erdkundl. Wissen 33: 352-397. (Unseen)

Wells, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983). The IUCN invertebrate red data book. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. Pp. 493-494.

Werner, W.L. (1982). A forgotten trail to Adam's Peak. Loris 16: 6-7. (Unseen)

Werner, W.L. and Schweinfurth, U. (1985). Naturreservate im Hochland der Insel Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Peak Wilderness und Horton Plains. Natur und Museum 115(3): 65-76.

Date April 1986, updated September 1990