Ritigala Nature Reserve
A strict nature reserve (IUCN category) is one of the two highest categories of protected areas recognised by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). These areas are primarily declared for research purposes and for the preservation and protection of large, unspoiled wilderness areas. The primary aim of such areas is to preserve biodiversity, serving as essential reference areas for scientific work and environmental monitoring.
Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve is located in the dry zone of the island. It is one of the few high-altitude forests, encompassing an area of 1,528.1 hectares, and was declared a Strict Nature Reserve in 1941. It is home to species that are rare and possibly extinct in the region, and its isolation provides ideal conditions for species evolution. Thus, the conservation of such an ecosystem is extremely important.
Situated in the Anuradhapura District of the North Central Province, Ritigala is named after Riti (Antiaristoxicaria), a type of tree found in the mid-portion of the slopes. This is the highest isolated hill range in Sri Lanka, surrounded by the flatlands of central Sri Lanka. Quartzite and marble rocks dating back almost 2,000 million years are found in the Ritigala mountains. The area consists of three separate peaks: “Kodigala” Kanda in the northern block and “Wanna-Kanda” and “Aushada-Kanda” in the southern block.
According to inscriptional evidence, Ritigala is believed to date back to the 2nd and 4th centuries BC. The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery from the 9th century, the Lankā Vihāraya built by King Sooratissa during 187-177 BC, along with 152 stone inscriptions, 74 rock caves, and 140 archaeological buildings, are some of the ancient remnants found in the Ritigala area.
Ritigala SNR comprises dry monsoonal, evergreen, and montane forests. It is affected by both the southwest and northeast monsoons, with the altitude subdividing the wet zone into lowlands (0-900m), sub-montane regions (900-1500m), and montane regions (above 1500m). The crests of Ritigala are covered in mist during the southwest monsoon, even when the foot of the mountain experiences drought. October to November is the rainy season, while June to September is dry. Na Ela, Deva Ela, and Malwathu Oya originate from the reserve, and the tanks Ulpath Wewa, Hurulu Wewa, Kiriyagas Wewa, and Kaluebbe Wewa are found in the surrounding area, along with deep cylindrical rock pools near Deva Ela.
Due to the availability of suitable environmental conditions within the reserve, a high proportion of endemism can be attributed to the survival of many wet zone species, even though it is situated in the dry zone. Ritigala boasts 417 species of flora, among which 337 are flowering plants, 5 are endemic, and 3 are only found in Ritigala. Over 30 species of mammals, including the endemic golden palm civet and toque macaque, call Ritigala home. Other noteworthy mammals include the sloth bear, threatened leopard, endangered elephant, grey slender loris, grey langur, jackal, rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat, striped-necked mongoose, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, porcupine, pangolin, and several species of bats.
The reptile fauna of Ritigala includes geckos, lizards, tortoises, snakes, and skinks. Approximately 50 species of colourful butterflies, 20 species of fish, and 16 species of snails have also been recorded at Ritigala.