Peak Wilderness Sanctuary is a natural reserve in Sri Lanka. It is the third largest (by area) of the 50 sanctuaries in the country.
"Sri Pada" Peak Wilderness Sanctuary is a tropical rainforest spread over around the Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) mountain. A huge forest area that belonged to the Peak Wilderness was cut down and cleared during the British colonial rule in Sri Lanka (1815–1948) to gain land for the massive tea estates which are still functioning in Nuwara Eliya district. The remaining portion of the Peak Wilderness was declared a wildlife sanctuary on October 25, 1940.
The contours of "Sri Pada" Peak Wilderness vary from above sea level.Therefore, it possesses unusual geographical formations compared to the other natural reserves of the island.Therefore all three tropical rainforest types, tropical lowland rainforests(below 900m above sea level), tropical submontane rarainforests(900m - 1200m above sea level) and tropical montane rainforests(above 1200m from sea level) are occur in this sanctuary. Bena Samanala (), Dotalugala, Detanagala, are some of the taller mountains in the Peak Wilderness. It is also the birthplace of Kelani, Kalu, Walave rivers and many tributaries of the river Mahaweli which make waterfalls such as Dotalu falls, Geradi falls, Galagama falls (), and Mapanana falls () inside the sanctuary.
Out of the three access routes; Hatton route, Kuruwita route and Palabaddala route, which Buddhist devotees and other tourists use to reach the Adam’s Peak, Kuruwita and Palabaddala routes go right across the Peak Wilderness sanctuary. This forest area is entirely under the control of Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Department. It does not maintain any lodge, bungalow or such type of facility for tourists inside Peak Wilderness sanctuary in order to safeguard the purity of this forest. Yet, there is no restriction for eco-tourists to enter the sanctuary after obtaining permission from Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Department. Entering the sanctuary during the rain season is at the tourist’s own risk because of the unforeseen downpours and instant floods lead to life-risk situations.
Location It is located within the Sabaragamuwa mountain range in the central hills.
Boundaries There are no specific boundaries for the Peak Wilderness sanctuary. Most boundaries are marked by plantations owned by the Government and the private sector. The eastern boundary is clear and connected to Pidurutalagala mountain region and Horton Plains National Park.
Fauna In October 2009, the world's rarest toad Adenomus kandianus was rediscovered in this sanctuary after it was thought to be extinct for 133 years.This sanctuary is also significant as the sanctuary that supports the last remnant wet zone and montane region elephant population in the country following its separation from the lowland forests. This separation caused by deforestation has isolated an estimated number of 30 – 50 elephants, a population size that allows the viability of the species, in the mountainous high elevations of the peak wilderness forests. This herd of elephants is known as 'The Ghost Herd'. On the first sighting in the 2000s, Wildlife Officer Anil Vithanage found these elephants at the Dharmaraja Gala area of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary.
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See also Protected areas of Sri Lanka
References 3.Wild life tours sri lanka