The Horton Plains National Park has astounded both locals and foreigners for its unique enchantment of nature. Distributed around 3,160 hectares, the forest is positioned at the Eastern boundaries of the upper montane forest range of Central Highland of Sri Lanka.
Some of the significant attractions of the park are the World’s End, the mountains of Kirigalpoththa and Thotupolakanda and Baker’s Fall. The cloud forest provides home for numerous endemic and non-endemic species of flora and fauna adorning its richness in diversity and ecology.
Around 500,000 tourists and travellers visit the park annually showing interest and admiration towards nature. Among them are the groups of locals who intend their travel with fruitful benefits for the environment and conservation. The Young Zoologists Association (YZA) of Sri Lanka is such a pioneering organisation in the country that consists of altruistic youths driving with the vision, ‘conservation through education’.
Since 1989, YZA journeyed annually in an educational expedition to the Horton Plains cloud forest. A group of 50 young zoologists along with a team of instructors travelled recently, exploring, researching, and evaluating the ecosystem and its species diversity. The education program was lined up with a few interesting events; hikes to the mountains of Kirigalpoththa and Thotupola Kanda, the second and the fourth highest mountains on the island, night visit and survey on reptiles, morning bird observations and exploring along the Diagama nature trial. The program also included series of lectures covering the fields of wildlife biology, ecology, study techniques, paleontology, conservation and management.
Several new members had their maiden visit to the forest and were eagerly acquiring knowledge from the seniors and their instructors. A few species out of the lengthy checklist they made include the common mammals; leopards, dusty stripped Jungle squirrel, Sambar deer, and purple-faced leaf monkeys, a range of endemic, resident, and migratory birds along with several reptilespecies and amphibians surveyed, and identified during the visit.
Another significant event in the program was the advocacy lecture of the park warden, Sisira Rathnayake followed by a Q and A session, which inspired and motivated the young nature enthusiasts to broaden their perspective on conservation.
A young participant said that she was overwhelmed by the hike to the mountain, which she assures to be the best experience in her life. Another member said that the night visit in the darkness was the most memorable experience he had. Overall, the entire team enhanced their fraternity and passion towards wildlife claiming that their visit was the best motivation they ever had for ages.
