Bundala National Park is situated in the southeast part of the country
in the semi arid zone. Park belongs to Southern Province. The park
area is 6,216 hectares.
The park was initially established as a Sanctuary in 1969. Due to its
significant role as a wintering site for migratory birds this was
declared as RAMSAR wetland in 1990.
As Bundala National Park is located in semi arid zone, rainfall is
highly seasonal. Main source of rainfall is Northeast monsoons
(December – February). Mean Annual Rainfall: 900 – 1300 mm. Area is
experiencing prolong drought from May to October. Mean annual
Temperature 27o C. Daily temperature above 30oC is not uncommon.
Bundala National Park is mainly consist of 4 brackish lagoons, salt
pans, marshes, thorny scrub lands, sand dunes, dry mixed ever green
forests and dry grass lands.
Scrublands mainly consist of Andara (Dichrostachys cinerea), Eraminiya
(Ziziphus sp.), Karamba
(Carrisa spinarum). However the invasive
species such as Prosopis juliflora and Opuntia delenii are spreading
in the grasslands and scrublands.
Forest is covered by typical dominants of Dry mixed ever green forests
Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria) and Mallithan (Salvadora
persica). Maila (Bauhinia racemosa) and diwul (Limonia acidissima) are
also frequently seen.
Park provides the shelter for Elephant, Spotted Dear, Wild Boar, Black
naped hare, Grey & Ruddy mongoose, toque macaque, Grey Langur &
porcupine, jackal and fishing & Rusty Spotted cats. This park is also
well known for sightings of estuarine crocodile and mugger crocodile.
The main attraction of the Bundala is the birdlife, especially waders.
There are both resident and migratory species. Greater Flamingo,
Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant and Black-necked Stork are among
the large birds. Large flocks of terns, gulls, sand-pipers, snipes,
teals, cormorants, egrets and many more water birds are commonly seen.
How to get there
Bundala is at a short distance from Yala National Park on the Southern
Coast of Sri Lanka.
