Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve

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The purple-faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus), also known as the purple-faced leaf monkey
“Semnopithèque blanchâtre mâle” by BluesyPete – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Size	extent 1,141 hectares
Main attraction	Flora

Hakgala, which is adjacent to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, is the only Srict Nature Reserve (SNR) in the wet zone and was declared in 1938. In Sinhala hakgala means a special sea shell which is used as a blow horn by local ceromonial bands. The rock which encompass the SNR has a shape of this sea shell.

Legand says that the Hakgala was the royal pleasure garden of the King Rawana of the Ramayana. Connected to same legend is Seetha Eliya a nearby village, where the Princess Seetha was hidden away by Ravana

This is the home of the Bear Monkey or Purple-faced Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus vetulus) and the Blue Magpie (Cissa oranata) both of which are endemic.

There are many other endemic species at Hakgala. Steady and unchecked encroachments to this SNR, for settlement and agriculture, are reducing its size and effectiveness.

Source Daily News – Jayantha Jayawardana

Despite being the only Strict Nature Reserve in Wet Zone out the the SNRs in Sri Lanka, this reserve is being encroached by large scale industries such as Ambewela Farm ( a 50 acre encroachment) to individuals. A recent survay has found out that as much as 25% of the land belonging the Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve has been encroached.

Also See

Map of Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve and Other Places of Interest

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Travel Directions to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve

Route from Colombo to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve	Route from Nuwara Eliya to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve
Through : Awissawella – Ratnapura – Hatton Distance : 170 km Travel time : 4.5 hours. Driving directions : see on google map	Through : Blackpool-Ambewela-Pattipola-Horton Plain Rd and Blackpool-Ambewela-Pattipola-Horton Plain Road Distance : 10 km Travel time : 30 minutes. Driving directions : see on google map