The island country of Sri Lanka that has made a quite haven
in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, is by far a country emanating with
a rich biodiversity. Sri Lanka scores the tenth position in terms of percentage
endemism with 167 species confined to Sri Lanka.
This beauteous landscape endowed with a richness of flora
and fauna is also the home to leopards; the slender cousins of the tigers that
prowling the arid jungles with stealth. Yala, in the south-eastern region of
Sri Lanka, has the highest density of leopards in the world.
It is a rich conglomerate of several ecosystems constituting
moist monsoon season forests, deciduous and arid forests combining the marshy
terrain and coastal environment. During the peak season, when birds migrate
between October to April, the park hosts nearly two hundred bird varieties. Sri
Lanka grey hornbill, crimson-fronted barbet, black-capped bulbul, blue-tailed
bee-eater, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka wood pigeon and brown-capped
babbler are among the birds endemic to Sri Lanka, which can be found here.
With the rainfall that recedes from the start of May, reducing
the water levels in the park, leopards slowly come out into the openness of the
arid jungles. Apart from the wild cats, it is also the natural home ground for
44 species of mammals. The mighty Sri Lankan elephant, a subspecies of the
Indian elephant; roam its flat lands; with a count of 300 strong individuals
comprising its herd. Toque macaque, golden palm civet, red slender loris, and
fishing cat are among the other mammals that can be seen here.
While there is no exclusive time to visit Yala, the park
remains closed to visitors from September to November. Often, enthusiasts with
the intent of getting to Yala to experience its wildlife opt for car hire. Colombo
to Yala via Ratnapura is an often sought route by travelers; apart from
providing the convenience of the national highway, it also takes one through
the gem city of the country. Kings Rent a Car is a trusted company that rents
out cars for trips across the island with easy pickup options. From
Tissamaharama one has to continue driving to Palatupana where one can get all
the details related to the safari rides at the visitor’s booth.
Yala is known for being a home to several species of birds
and animals, however, some of the lesser known facts about it are the
Sithulpauwwa which happened to be rock temple that had housed nearly 12000
monks. Another attraction in Yala is the Magul Maha Viharaya where the
legendary King Kavan Tissa had married Vihara Maha Devi. Yala is woven into the
lore of the Ramayana for it is believed that the demon king Ravana had
established his kingdom Ravana Kotte here, which has now submerged into the
ocean.
Yala thus is undoubtedly an escape that takes one through a
rich experience of Sri Lanka that is at the confluence of its rich diversity of
wildlife while blending in stories from the historical past and myths.
