Nilgala Protected Forest Reserve

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Nilgala and Bulupitiya hela over the paddy fields at Nilgala Forest
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Size	approx. 26,000 hectares
Main attraction	Flora and Fauna

Nestled on the eastern boundary of the Gal Oya National Park, the Nilgala Forest is a sprawling natural sanctuary that spans approximately 26,000 hectares, inclusive of its surrounding savanna grasslands. In a landmark decision aligning with World Environment Day and Sri Lanka’s National Environment Week, Nilgala was officially declared a Protected Forest Reserve on June 2, 2025—a significant step forward in safeguarding its rich biodiversity and unstudied archaeological wealth.

Geography and Hydrology

The forest lies within the catchment area of the Senanayake Samudraya, Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir. The Gal Oya River, one of the main tributaries feeding this reservoir, flows directly from the Nilgala region. The forest is also a vital watershed for both Gal Oya and Panmedilla Oya, playing a critical ecological role throughout the year.

The name “Nilgala” translates to “Blue Rock,” referencing its distinctive rocky outcrops. The terrain is undulating and includes several peaks, the tallest being Yakun Hela (700 m), with others including Nilgala, Danigala, Kahata Aththa Hela, and Makadakanda.

Ecology and Vegetation

According to Gunatilleke & Gunatilleke (1990), Nilgala primarily consists of lowland tropical dry mixed evergreen forest. The climate is moderately cool, becoming humid during the northeast monsoon.

Flora includes a rich diversity of native trees such as Terminalia chebula (Aralu), Terminalia bellirica (Bulu), Phyllanthus emblica (Nelli), Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk), Schleichera oleosa (Kon), and Diospyros ebenum (Kaluwara).

The savanna grasslands are dominated by species such as Kudumberiya, Kukurumana, Pangirimana, Mana, and Iluk.

Fauna includes elephants, buffaloes, deer, and a rich bird population—making the forest especially popular among birdwatchers.

Access and Facilities

Access to Nilgala is via the Bibile–Inginiyagala Road, with the turn-off at Bulupitiya, located 42 km from Inginiyagala and 21 km from Bibile. The forest is managed by both the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) and the Department of Forest Conservation:

Approximately 9,000 hectares in the Eastern sector fall under the DWLC and are open to the public.
About 13,000 hectares belong to the Forest Department, with no road network or visitor facilities.

There are four designated campsites:

Seenukgala (near the forest office)
Mahadorowwa
Paraviyan Ara
Makara

Additionally, a 10-person capacity bungalow at Lokgaloya, within Gal Oya National Park, is available for accommodation.

Three jeep tracks run through the forest:

Nilgala to Makara
Nilgala to Pothuliyadda via Mullegama, Thumbarenuwa, and Kebellabokka
Nilgala to Mahawela via Dimbuldena and Kotabowa

Makara – The Dragon’s Mouth

One of the most fascinating natural features is Makara, where the Gal Oya River seemingly “disappears” into the Senanayake Samudraya through a subterranean channel. The term originates from “Makara Kata” or “Dragon’s Mouth,” referring to a natural tunnel where the river once vanished beneath the rocks. Though the original tunnel is now buried due to sediment shifts, the area is still marked by imposing rock formations 20–50 feet tall and can be accessed by boat from the Senanayake Samudraya dam.

Archaeological Heritage

Despite its natural beauty, Nilgala Forest remains largely unexplored archaeologically. No formal research has been conducted, though scattered ruins suggest a long history of human habitation, particularly of Buddhist origin.

Key archaeological highlights include:

Mukkaru Sohona on the Makara route—possibly a burial site.
Andagala – site of a possible ancient fortress or royal retreat. A stone-carved bed and remnants of massive granite blocks hint at past architectural sophistication, though the site shows extensive damage from treasure hunters.
Kahata Aththa Hela Purana Gal Ge – an ancient cave temple surrounded by scattered ruins.
Andayampola – believed to be the site of a fortress, with visible structural remnants.

Conservation Status

With its formal designation in 2025, Nilgala Forest is now legally protected. However, much of its archaeological and ecological significance remains undocumented, calling for urgent interdisciplinary research to preserve and understand this remarkable intersection of biodiversity and history.

Ancient inscriptions in Kahata Aththa Hela Caves at the Nilgala Forest

Kahata Aththa Hela Caves at the Nilgala Forest

Ruins of the ancient civilization at the top of Kahata Aththa Hela in the Nilgala Forest

ancient Kalugal Bemma road which King Dutugemunu is said to have used..

Makara, where the water from the Gal Oya appears from

Where the Gal Oya disappears to the Senanayake Samudraya

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