UdawattaKele Forest

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UdawattaKele

UdawattaKele Kandy Sri Lanka

UdawattaKele Royal Forest

UdawattaKele

The Udawatta Kele Sanctuary or the Royal Forest Park of Kandy is siuated on the hillside behind the Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This forest extents about 257 acres and is considered to be a vital Bio reserve for the much populated Kandy City. Centuries back, area surrounding Kandy had been a Rain Forest and the human settlements took place during the era of King Panditha Parakramabahu (1302-1326 AD) and in 1371 AD, King Wickramabahu made Kandy his Kingdom. During this era Kandy was called as Senkadagala. This name came into being due to a Brahmin named Senkanda, who lived in a cave at Udawattakele during that era. During the Kandyan Kingdom, this forest area behind the palace was called Uda wasala watta or the 'Upper Palace Garden' frequented by the royalty and was out of bound to the people. Since the downfall of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, this forest area started to loose it's pristine condition due to wood cutting etc.

The condition of the forest deteriorated due to human activities and in 1856, the Government declared it as a Forest Reserve and later in 1938, it was made a sanctuary. The Kandy Lake gets it's water resourses mainly from this forest's catchment areas. This precious forest area supplies the much needed air purification activity to the Kandy city which is enclaved by several hills.

Entrance Fee (Ticket Price) and Opening Hours

Below are the entrance fees for both local (Sri Lankan) and foreign(Non-Sri Lankan) visitors as of April 2024

Local (Sri Lankans) - Ticket Price:
Adults: Rs. 75.00
Children (age 6-12 years): Rs. 40.00
Children (under the age of 6 years): Free

Foreign (Non-Sri Lankans) - Ticket Price:
Adults: Rs. 930.00
Children (age 6-12 years): Rs. 470.00
Children (under the age of 6 years): Free

It's worth noting that these prices are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to verify the current entrance fees before visiting the sanctuary.

Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is open to the public throughout the year, meaning it remains accessible to visitors every day, including weekends and holidays.
The regular opening hours of Udawatta Kele Sanctuary are from 8 am to 6 pm. This means that visitors can access the sanctuary and explore its natural beauty and wildlife during this time.
It's important to note that the issuance of entrance tickets for the day ends at 4 pm. This suggests that visitors should arrive before 4 pm to ensure they have enough time to obtain their tickets and enjoy the sanctuary before it closes at 6 pm.
Special permission can be obtained to enter the sanctuary at 6 am for activities such as bird watching. This early entry is possible with prior approval, indicating that visitors interested in accessing the sanctuary for specific purposes, like bird watching, should arrange for special permission in advance.

Flora of UdawattaKele Forest

The forest is rich with vegetation consisting with canopy, sub canopy and an underground layer. The dense plant life restricts sunlight reaching the ground soil surface. The underground layer mostly consists of the seedlings of the canopy layer species and creepers that reaches to the top of caopy layer trees. There is a giant 200 to 300 years old Pus Wela or 'Entada pusaetha' liana in the forest.The important places in Udawatta Kele are the The water Pond, Highest peak The Senkanda Cave, and the Garrison cemetery. There are also several Buddhist temples and hermitages inside the forest reserve.

UdawattaKele Pus Wela

'Entada pusaetha' liana

Three storied vegetation of UdawattaKele Forest

The forest coverage consists of a Canoppy layer,Sub Canopy layer and an underground layer.Since very little light is reaching the ground surface very few flowering plants can be found there.The underground layer mainly consists of seedlings of Canopy Layer species. Aso there are varieties of creepers in many tree trunks found in the forest

View of Kandy Town

UdawattaKele View Point

Birds found in UdawattaKele

Udawatta Kele is a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts, as it is home to a wide variety of bird species. The sanctuary provides a favorable habitat for both resident and migratory birds. Some notable bird species found in Udawatta Kele include: Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) is an endemic parrot species known for its vibrant green plumage. Layard's Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae)is another endemic parakeet species with a distinctive red beak. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis) is an endemic hornbill species with a grey body and a prominent curved bill. Yellow-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons)also is an endemic barbet species with a bright yellow forehead. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus) is a brilliantly colored kingfisher species that can be spotted near water bodies.

Photos of

UdawattaKele Forest Coverage

Mammals living in the Forest

Udawatta Kele supports a variety of mammal species, including some endemic and threatened species. Some of the mammals that can be found in the sanctuary are

Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica)is an endemic primate species found in Sri Lanka, known for its distinctive hair tuft. Purple-faced Langur (Semnopithecus vetulus)is another endemic primate species with a unique purple face and long tail. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)which are a large fruit bat species that can be seen flying at dusk. Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) is a small, agile squirrel species commonly found in the forest. Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica) is a nocturnal carnivorous mammal that inhabits the forest.

Plant Species at the Forest

The forest is home to a diverse range of tree species, including both native and introduced varieties. Some of the prominent tree species found in Udawatta Kele include

Sri Lankan Ironwood (Mesua ferrea) is a majestic tree with large, glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers. There are Several species of Dipterocarpus, commonly known as Gurulupila that can be found in the forest. They are known for their tall stature and hardwood timber. Satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia) is a medium-sized tree with distinctive yellow wood and clusters of small white flowers. Jak (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is an introduced species known for its large, edible fruit. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis)is another introduced species with large, round fruits that are cooked and consumed in various ways.

The forest floor of Udawatta Kele is covered with lush understory vegetation, which includes a variety of shrubs, climbers, and herbaceous plants. Some common understory species found in the forest are: Different species of ferns, such as maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) and bird's nest ferns (Asplenium spp.), thrive in the shady and moist conditions of the forest.

Udawatta Kele is known for its diverse orchid species. Various terrestrial and epiphytic orchids can be found, adding splashes of color to the forest. Lichens and Mosses: The humid environment of the forest provides suitable conditions for the growth of lichens and mosses that cover rocks, tree trunks, and forest surfaces.

The forest is well-known for its abundance of epiphytic plants, which are plants that grow on other plants without deriving nutrients from them. Epiphytic orchids, ferns, and mosses can be found adorning the branches and trunks of trees, creating a beautiful and diverse ecosystem within the forest.

Udawatta Kele forest is home to some plant species that are considered rare or endangered. Conservation efforts within the forest aim to protect these species and their habitats. One such example is the Kadupul Flower (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), also known as the Queen of the Night. This rare and elusive flower blooms only at night and has a delicate fragrance.

Like many ecosystems, Udawatta Kele faces challenges from invasive plant species. These invasive plants, such as Lantana (Lantana camara) and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), can threaten the native flora by outcompeting them for resources. Conservation initiatives within the forest focus on controlling and managing these invasive species

This Unknown Treasure in Kandy Town

One can experience the tranquility and solace of a forest habitat by visiting this small forest hidden in the Kandy Town. Anyone who wishes to have an escape from the busyness of an Urban environment can find solace for hours and hours strolling or relaxing in this natural habitat one seldomly find in a busy city. For this, Udawatta Kele Royal Forest is the ideal location within the city that is unknown to the many.