WILD -LIFE HISTORY OF SRI LANKA
Throughout the long ages of Sri Lanka's history ,much of the island's natural richness has been allowed to exist unhampered by man's activities.It is a little known fact that Sri Lanka can boast of the world's first wildlife sanctuary,dating from the 3rd century B.C . Created by king Devanampiyathissa in whose reign Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka . Succeding kings continued to uphold the hallowed Buddhists precept of forbidding man to kill any from of life as is recorded on the many rook inscriptions found throughout the country .
The ancient kings also aware of the importance of forests . Large tracts termed "Thahanan Kalle"(forbidden forests)were set aside as reserves,and "Wanathas"(wild areas) were protected as pest control areas,watersheds etc. Some of these ancient reserves exist even today-e.g. : Udawattekelle reserve in kandy ,and Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve.
Throughout the long ages of Sri Lanka's history ,much of the island's natural richness has been allowed to exist unhampered by man's activities.It is a little known fact that Sri Lanka can boast of the world's first wildlife sanctuary,dating from the 3rd century B.C . Created by king Devanampiyathissa in whose reign Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka . Succeding kings continued to uphold the hallowed Buddhists precept of forbidding man to kill any from of life as is recorded on the many rook inscriptions found throughout the country .
The ancient kings also aware of the importance of forests . Large tracts termed "Thahanan Kalle"(forbidden forests)were set aside as reserves,and "Wanathas"(wild areas) were protected as pest control areas,watersheds etc. Some of these ancient reserves exist even today-e.g. : Udawattekelle reserve in kandy ,and Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve.
