Gal Oya National Park in Sri Lanka was created in 1954. It is the main place where water collects for Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. Senanayake Samudraya was built as part of the Gal Oya development project by blocking the Gal Oya River at Inginiyagala in 1950. A notable part of the park is its group of elephants, which can be seen all year long. Three important plants used in Ayurveda medicine—Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Emblica officinalis—are among the plants found in the forest. From 1954 to 1965, the park was managed by the Gal Oya Development Board. After that, the Department of Wildlife Conservation began managing the park. The national park is located 314 kilometers from Colombo.

Associated protected areas

The Gal Oya Development Board created several protected areas to safeguard the water collection areas of Senanayake Samudraya and other reservoirs. This action also helped stop soil erosion caused by villagers burning the Thalawa grasslands. In 1954, four protected areas were established: Gal Oya National Park, Senanayake Samudraya Sanctuary, Gal Oya Valley North-East Sanctuary, and Gal Oya Valley South-East Sanctuary. These four areas together cover 63,000 hectares of land. The department is responsible for managing and protecting these areas, reducing conflicts between humans and elephants, and enforcing laws that protect plants and animals. Rangers are stationed at four locations: Inginiyagala, Mullegama, Nilgala, and Baduluwela. In 1974, the Buddhangala Sanctuary was also created. Buddhangala is a monastery with the remains of a stupa and other structures in the nearby Malwattai area.

Features

The park's elevation ranges from 30 meters to about 900 meters. The mountains within the park are called Danigala, Nilgala, and Ulpotha. The area receives rain during the North-eastern monsoon, with an average yearly rainfall of 1,700 millimeters (66.93 inches).

An alternative way to reach the National Park is by taking a boat across the Senanayake Samudraya from Inginiyagala. Bird's Island, located in the reservoir, is a place where birds nest. At the spot where Gal Oya meets the reservoir, water flows through a natural tunnel called Makara Kata (Sinhalese for "dragon's mouth") or simply Makara. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Dighavapi stupa each year. This stupa was built in the 2nd century BC on the site believed to be where Buddha meditated during his third visit to Sri Lanka. Danigala holds historical importance as it was the home of the Henebadde Veddas. A rock near the Henebadde cave has Brahmi inscriptions.

Flora and fauna

The forest has three types of vegetation: forest, shrub, and grassland. The national park includes a large area of savannah grasslands called thalawa in Sinhalese and mountainous grasslands called pathana. Thalawa grasslands are mostly covered by rough grasses, such as Cymbopogon nardus ("mana") and Imperata cylindrica ("iluk"). When thalawa grasslands are burned, they are called Damana grasslands and are used by villagers for cattle grazing. Rare plants with medicinal uses, like Pterocarpus marsupium, Careya arborea, and Cassia fistula, also grow in the forest. Common plants include Berrya cordifolia, longan, Mangifera zeylanica, Diospyros spp., Ziziphus spp., and Mallotus repandus ("wal keppetiya").

Thirty-two types of land mammals live in the park. These include the Sri Lankan elephant, Sri Lankan axis deer, muntjac, water buffalo, Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lanka leopard, toque monkey, and wild boar. Reptiles found in the park include the mugger crocodile and star tortoise. More than 150 bird species have been recorded in Gal Oya National Park. Some resident birds are the lesser adjutant, spot-billed pelican, and red-faced malkoha. Common water birds near the Senanayake reservoir include the Indian cormorant, Oriental darter, grey heron, and lesser whistling duck. Notable birds of prey in the area are the white-bellied sea eagle and grey-headed fish eagle. The park is home to butterflies, including the endemic lesser albatross.

• Sri Lankan axis deer
• Grey-headed fish eagle
• Herons, cormorants, and other birds rest

Threats and conservation

Illegal logging has cut down 30 acres (120,000 square meters) of the forest. People have also illegally taken medicinal plants from the area. Not enough rangers are available to stop these illegal activities. The Department of Wildlife Conservation faced criticism when they did not send a doctor to help an injured elephant. A plan to create a jungle corridor between Gal Oya and Maduru Oya National Parks has been suggested.