[Year]

Department of Wildlife Conservation

Sri Lanka

2012

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka World Heritage Site

Management Plan for the Horton Plains National Park

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 4

1.1 PURPOSE AND CONTENTS OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................................................... 4 1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN .................................................................................................................................. 4

CHAPTER 2 - HPNP WORLD HERITAGE SITE.................................................................................................. 5

2.1 INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST ...................................................................................................... 5 2.2 CRITERIA FOR INSCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................. 5 2.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY .......................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 CURRENT MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 6

CHAPTER 3 - VALUE OF THE PROPERTY ....................................................................................................... 10

3.1 OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE .................................................................................................................... 10 3.2 ADDITIONAL VALUES ......................................................................................................................................... 11

3.2.1 Cultural values ........................................................................................................................................... 11 3.3 INTEGRITY .......................................................................................................................................................... 11

CHAPTER 4 - MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK ...................................................................................................... 12

4.1 OWNERSHIP ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 4.2 GUIDING PRINCIPLES .......................................................................................................................................... 12

4.2.1 World Heritage Convention ....................................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2 National Wildlife Policy ............................................................................................................................. 12 4.2.3 Legislations ................................................................................................................................................ 12

4.3 SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES .......................................................................................................................................... 14 4.4 THREATS AND ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................... 15

4.4.1 Man Made Fires ......................................................................................................................................... 15 4.4.2 Invasive Species ......................................................................................................................................... 15 4.4.3 Forest Dieback ........................................................................................................................................... 15

4.5 PLANNED OUTCOMES ......................................................................................................................................... 15

CHAPTER 5 - OBJECTIVES AND PRESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................................. 17

5.1 CONSERVATION OF THE OUTSTANDING NATURAL FEATURES OF THE HPNP ..................................................... 17 5.1.1 Integrity ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 5.1.2 Biological Diversity ................................................................................................................................... 17

5.2 KNOWLEDGE ENHANCEMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS ..................................................... 19 5.2.1 Research..................................................................................................................................................... 19 5.2.2 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................................... 19

5.3 INFORMED, RESPONSIBLE AND ENJOYABLE ACCESS .......................................................................................... 20 5.3.1 Recreation .................................................................................................................................................. 20 5.3.2 Visitor Facilities......................................................................................................................................... 20

5.4 EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS ................................................................................................. 21 5.4.1 Education ................................................................................................................................................... 21 5.4.2 Interpretation ............................................................................................................................................. 21

5.5 COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDERS PARTICIPATION ........................................................................................... 22 5.5.1 Community Participation ........................................................................................................................... 22 5.5.2 Buffer Zone ................................................................................................................................................ 23

5.6 COORDINATED MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................... 24 5.6.1 Working Together ...................................................................................................................................... 24

5.7 STAFFING AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES.............................................................................................................. 24 5.7.1 Staff ............................................................................................................................................................ 24 5.7.2 Induction and Training .............................................................................................................................. 25 5.7.3 Finance ...................................................................................................................................................... 25

CHAPTER 6 - POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................... 26

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6.1 NATIONAL WILDLIFE POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 26 6.2 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................................................ 26 6.3 INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE ............................................................................................................................... 26

6.3.1 Department of Wildlife Conservation ........................................................................................................ 26 6.3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Adaptive Management .................................................................................. 27

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CHAPTER 1- Introduction

1.1 Purpose and Contents of the Management Plan

The Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) is a constituent of Central Highlands of Sri Lanka World Heritage Site which includes the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), the Peak Wilderness Protected Area (PWPA) and the Knuckles Conservation Forest (KCF). This serial property was inscribed on the World Heritage list at the 34th session of World Heritage Committee held in July 2010. This management plan is intended for the period 2012-2017 and it sets out a framework for the long term conservation and management of the HPNP and its key attributes and provides a mechanism for bringing together all communities of interest.

This plan is developed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation as per the requirement of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance and in line with the UNESCO Operational Guidelines for the World Heritage Convections and in collaboration with other key stakeholders who have an interest in the HPNP. In addition, members of neighboring communities and the general public have had an opportunity to influence the decisions made herein.

1.2 Structure of the Plan

The plan is divided into three parts. Part one provides a description of HPNP which includes a) an evaluation of its significance b) the management framework that is in place for managing the HPNP and c) legislation and planning policies which are key drivers in the management of the HPNP. This section also identifies attributes that have not been included in the World Heritage inscription, yet are felt to be of significance in a national or local context.

Part two defines the long term vision for the HPNP and sets out the Guiding Principles that will provide the parameters and framework within which all future management decisions will be made. It sets out a brief synopsis of the current threats and key issues and the objectives and prescriptions that need to undertake in the coming five years. Each objective has a rationale explaining the reasons behind each management approach and why the various actions are necessary.

Part three provides policy, legal, and institutional framework that would ensure the long term sustainability of HPNP.

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CHAPTER 2 - HPNP World Heritage Site

2.1 Inscription on the World Heritage List

HPNP along with the PWPA and KCF, the serial property called Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, was inscribed on the World Heritage list at the 34th session of World Heritage Committee held in July, 2010 under the criteria ix and x of the World Heritage Convention.

2.2 Criteria for Inscription

HPNP is a constituent of the world heritage serial site of ‘Central Highlands of Sri Lanka’ and the criteria for inscription given below are applied to the serial site including HPNP and KCF.

Criterion (ix): Be outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. The HPNP along with the PWPA and KCF provides plentiful evidence of the biotic evolutionary processes that have taken place from Miocene period to the more recent geological times. There are strong evidence to believe that the evolutionary processes are ongoing and would continue in this site if the remaining habitats are well protected. In case of flora, the best example is the family Dipterocarpaceae, which is pantropic and have 58 species in Sri Lanka and all of them are endemic suggesting the biotic evolutionary processes taken places in the wet zone forests in Sri Lanka where the property is located.

In the montane forests represented by three serial properties, the faunal elements provide strong evidence of geological and biological processes in the evolution and development of taxa. The endemic purple faced langur of Sri Lanka (Semnopithecus vetulus) has evolved into several morphologically different forms which occur within the three serial properties and exhibit allopatry, which could be considered as an ongoing process. Molecular genetic analysis shows that the Sri Lanka leopard, the only representative in the island of the genus Panthera, which diverged from other felids about 1.8 million years ago, is a unique sub-species (Panthera pardus kotiya) and distinct among the 10 sub-species of leopard found in the world. All three constituent components of the property provide habitat to thi s sub-species of leapord, endemic to Sri Lanka.

Criterion (x): Contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

HPNP is home for a large number of endemic and threatened faunal and floral species. There are 192 species of woody plants in HPNP of which 79 species are endemic while 14 species are globally threatened. In case of fauna there are 78 species of birds with 14 endemic species, 9 species of reptiles with 8 endemic species, 11 species of amphibians with 10 endemic species, and 28 species of mammals with 11 endemic species. A total of 23 species of fauna is globally threatened.

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2.3 Description of the Property The HPNP is located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and occupies a land area about 3109 hectares. HPNP is a sensitive and fragile montane ecosystem encompasses remarkable combination of flora and fauna. This bears an utmost importance as one of the major catchment areas of the island.

HPNP contains the largest single extent of montane grasslands and the dwarf forests on mountain slopes. The lower part of the grasslands acts as a sponge in storing the headwaters of a number of important rivers.

2.4 Current Management Horton Plains was declared a National Park under the section 2 of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance in 1988 and managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in accordance with the management prescriptions given in the Protected Area Management Plan prepared for the area in 2005.

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Fig 1 – Location of HPNP

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Fig 2 – Parts of PWPA

Fig 2: Location of HPNP in relation to PWPA

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Fig 3 – Vegetation Types of PWPA

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CHAPTER 3 - Value of the Property

3.1 Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding universal value described below is for the serial site Central Highlands of Sri Lanka where HPNP is one of the constituent components.

Sri Lanka's highlands, where the land rises to an elevation of over 2,500 metres, are situated in the south-central part of the island. The three component parts of the serial property share common features of their mountainous terrain, but also have prominent physiographic differences.

Geologically, nine-tenths of Sri Lanka is made up· of extremely ancient, high crystalline and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age. The entire Central Highlands, including all three components of the serial property, are composed of two main types of rocks: metamorphosed sediments and charnockite gneisses. Four major episodes of deformation have been recognized in the Central Highlands. Evidence of these episodes can be seen in the Knuckles region, where the main structure is a recumbent fold upon which, in a subsequent episode, upright folds have been superimposed.

Sri Lanka's evolutionary history is as a component of the Deccan Plate which has drifted north since the beginning of the Tertiary period and right up to the Miocene, and with land connections also occurring since then up to the Holocene. The island shares many biotic taxa with peninsular India. For example of the 173 families of angiosperms, 167 are peninsular. The total number of indigenous plants species in Sri Lanka is around 7000. This includes over 3000 angiosperm species of which 845 are endemic to the island. Among the pteridophytes, 57 of 314 species are endemic. It is this extraordinary endemicity that occurs mainly at specific and intra specific rank that makes the Sri Lankan flora of outstanding interest. The indigenous faunal species include 678 species of vertebrates and 262 species of migrant birds. Endemism is high in fauna too ranging from 50 percent in reptiles, 54 percent in freshwater fishes and 85 percent in amphibians.

The Sri Lankan montane rain forests represented by Central Highlands of Sri Lanka can in fact be considered a super-hotspot within the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot. More than half of Sri Lanka's endemic vertebrates, half of the country's endemic flowering plants and more than 34% of its endemic trees, shrubs, and herbs are restricted to these diverse montane rain forests. The altitudinal range and location of the Knuckles at the ecotonal boundary between Sri Lanka's wet and dry climate zones has given rise to a diverse range of vegetation, which includes most of Sri Lanka's major associations. The flora of the Knuckles is so distinct that it is recognized as a separate floristic region within Sri Lanka. It contains part of a relict flora of Deccan-Gondwanic origin with a high level of species endemism and many montane and submontane taxa at the northern limits of their ranges in Sri Lanka. At least 10 of the 23 endemic bird species that make Sri Lanka an Endemic Bird Area also occur in the Knuckles range. The Peak Wilderness and Horton Plains, together with surrounding forest areas, comprise Sri Lanka’s most imporrtant water catchments from which almost all the country's major perennial rivers originate. The Peak Wilderness is one of the few sites remaining in Sri Lanka with continuous tracts of forest altitudinally graded from lowland to submontane and montane rain (cloud) forest. The flora of the Peak Wilderness and Horton Plains, which is a relic of Gondwanic flora, is characterised by high species endemism and much localized species distributions. Up to 13 of the 23 endemic bird species that make Sri Lanka an Endemic Bird Area occur in the Peak Wilderness and Horton Plains.

Figure 2 – Vegetation Types of KCF

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In the montane forests represented by the three serial properties, the faunal elements provide strong evidence of geological and biological processes in the evolution and development of taxa. The endemic purple-faced langur of Sri Lanka (Semnopithecus vetulus) has evolved into several morphologically different forms which occur within the three serial properties and exhibit allopatry. which could be considered as an ongoing process. Molecular genetic analysis shows that the Sri Lankan leopard, the only representative in the island of the genus Panthera, which diverged from other felids about 1.8 million years ago, is a unique sub-species (Panlhera pardus kotiya) and distinct among the 10 sub-species of leopard found the world over. All three nominated properties provide habitat to this subspecies of leopard, endemic to Sri Lanka.

The serial provides critical habitat to a number of other endemic vertebrate species including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. These include two of the world's 25 most endangered primates: the Critically Endangered western purple-faced langur (Trachypithecus vetulus nestor) and the Endangered Horton Plains slender loris (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides).

3.2 Additional Values In addition to the key attributes set out above, HPNP also has the following significant features, which have not been included in the WHS inscription, yet regarded as being of national or local significance.

3.2.1 Cultural values HPNP is one of the sites in Sri Lanka which had been occupied by prehistoric man. While prior studies had revealed the presence of prehistoric man at Horton Plains through the evidence of geometric microliths and other artifacts, the authenticity of occupation and cultivation of sites at Horton Plains by Mesolithic man has been recently established through new evidence. According to the latest findings of radio-carbon dated multi-proxy records prehistoric humans occupied Horton Plains as early as 24,000 years BP. Pollen analysis shows a sequence of cultivation starting from the growing of oat and barley leading to the cultivation of rice when the climatic conditions became more humid.

3.3 Integrity HPNP is a National Park declared under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance and whole of the HPNP is state owned. The boundaries of the property are well defined and protection is provided by the staff of Department of Wildlife Conservation. HPNP is surrounded by the reserved forests managed by the Forest Department and there is no significant threat to the property from outside.

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CHAPTER 4 - Management Framework

4.1 Ownership

HPNP is a state owned property managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

4.2 Guiding Principles

4.2.1 World Heritage Convention This management framework is based on the obligations of management specified in the World Heritage Convention, in particular Articles 4 and 5, and the Operational Guidelines of the convention which state “Each nominated property should have an appropriate management plan or other documented management system which should specify how the outstanding universal value of a property should be preserved, preferably through participatory means”. The purpose of a management system is to ensure the effective protection of the nominated property for present and future generations.

4.2.2 National Wildlife Policy National Wildlife Policy is the foundation of wildlife related legislations of Sri Lanka which provides guidance in developing supporting institutions and preparation of wildlife management plans. National Wildlife Policy has the following set of objectives.

To conserve wildlife resources, through protection, research, education, sustainable use and benefit sharing, for the benefit of present and future generation.

1. To maintain ecological processes and life-sustaining systems, with particular regard to primary production, hydrological balance, nutrient cycles, and prevention of erosion, siltation, drought and flood.

2. To manage all components of genetic diversity, as resources to improve crop plant and farm animal, and to develop in a fair and equitable manner new product and processes through bio-prospecting.

3. To ensure sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits, arising from the direct and indirect use of wildlife resources and ecosystems.

4. To conserve native and endemic species and their habitats, so as to maintain the overall species richness and ecological integrity of the country.

5. To encourage the development of biological repositories, for the purposes of conservation education and science.

6. To encourage the private sector and communities to join as a full partners in all aspects of the wildlife-conservation process.

4.2.3 Legislations National Parks in the country are declared under the provisions of Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and legal protection for HPNP is provided under this ordinance. The provisions of Forest Ordinance,

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National Environmental Act, Soil Conservation Act, and other land related legislations are also play an important role in managing HPNP.

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4.3 Specific Principles This plan is also based on the following specific principles

i) Natural processes will normally be allowed to continue without intervention

Intervention should only be undertaken where it is necessary to protect natural features of greater significance from deterioration or in exceptional circumstances to facilitate their management. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis and based on sound evidence. Any actions taken should be reversible and cause minimal disturbance to significant features, species and habitats.

ii) No new species of animal or plant will be introduced by humans into the HPNP

Introduced species could pose threats to the native flora and fauna of HPNP. All visitors, whether for work or recreation, will be encouraged to minimise this risk as far as possible. Procedures to aid this will be put in place and widely promulgated. Where there is reasonable evidence that new species are of recent anthropogenic introduction, these will be removed.

iii) Any new development (whether changes in procedures or to infrastructure) on the HPNP will not be permitted if such developments cause any adverse impact on the natural heritage.

No new development will be allowed unless it is essential for the overall management of the property and it does not pose any significant threat to the outstanding universal value of the property. Even permitted developments should be subject to an environmental and heritage impact assessment.

iv) Research that requires the unique opportunities that HPNP offers will only be permitted if it improves the understanding of the heritage features of the property, or assists in guiding management of the outstanding universal values.

A Research Framework set by the National Research Committee will guide and advise future research undertaken on HPNP. On site research will be permitted if it can be demonstrated that it requires the unique opportunities that HPNP offers and if it improves the understanding of the heritage features of the property, or assists in guiding management of the outstanding universal values. All research will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

v) Education and interpretation programmes will aim to inspire, enthuse and educate visitors, infusing a long-lasting appreciation for both the qualities of this unique place and the importance of sustainable conservation management of HPNP.

Information and interpretation about HPNP will be made accessible through a variety of media including websites, leaflets, exhibitions and staff. On-site interpretation should not detract from the unique ‘spirit of place’ and where appropriate, education and interpretation programmes will be developed in collaboration with others.

vi) Responsible access to the HPNP will be encouraged

Visitor interests will be managed to provide a high quality and inspiring experience for the visitor whilst safeguarding the property’s heritage and other values. All access, including recreational activities, will be in line with the management plan prescriptions.

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4.4 Threats and Issues Several threats and issues, that would have a significant impact upon the conservation of HPNP, have been identified in and around HPNP. The main threats and issues are described below.

4.4.1 Man Made Fires Grassland fires have been identified as one of the main threats to the property. These fires occur during the dry season and no particular pattern has been observed over the years. These fires always have a human origin and careless use of fires by visitors has been the main cause of spreading fires in grassland ecosystem.

4.4.2 Invasive Species Several invasive species, both flora and fauna, have been identified in the HPNP that would have a significant impact on the heritage value of the property.

Ulex europaeus is an exotic shrub introduced to the HPNP during the British rule. Spread of this species has a significant impact on the biodiversity of the HPNP and need be controlled before the problem gets aggravated.

Among faunal invasive species common crow (Corvuss spp) has been identified as the most important in terms of having impact on the nesting of some other bird species. Though the crow is alien to the HPNP, its population has increased over the years with the increase of visitation. Among other things Improper garbage disposal has been identified as the main reason for attracting crows in to the HPNP.

4.4.3 Forest Dieback This phenomenon was first observed in 1946 on some mountain slopes of HPNP and subsequent studies have revealed some 22 plant species have been affected by dieback. The immediate cause for the die back believed to be a fungal attack and water deficit; strong winds, mineral stress and acidity have been identified as contributing factors that make the trees vulnerable for such attacks.

4.5 Planned Outcomes This management plan consists of 9 outcomes based on the long term vision for the PWPA; on the threats and issues that have been identified (some new and some existing), and build on the foundations laid by the past management plans. Each Outcome sets out what should be achieved by the end of this management plan in 5 years time.

1. Conserve the biological diversity, catchment and scenic beauty of HPNP with special emphasis on maintenance of diverse habitats and associated flora and fauna

2. Establishment of enhanced protection for the HPNP 3. Enhanced knowledge about the HPNP and its cultural and natural features and the promulgation

of research results to share knowledge and understanding 4. Enhanced provision of informed, responsible and enjoyable access including virtual access 5. Further development of education and interpretation programs that promote a greater

understanding and sustainable conservation management amongst visitors and non-visitors

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6. Regular liaison with local communities and other stakeholders to understand each other’s aspirations for PWPA

7. Adequate staffing and financial resources in place to meet the operational needs and Vision of the property

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CHAPTER 5 - Objectives and Prescriptions

The overall objective of management is to protect, conserve, present and, where appropriate, rehabilitate the World Heritage values as well as other natural and cultural values of the property, and to transmit that heritage to future generations in as good or better condition than at present.

This overall objective of management is based on the obligations of management specified in Articles 4 and 5 of the World Heritage Convention and its Operational Guidelines. In addition this plan is also conform to the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. The objective also places an obligation of sustainable management of the property to ensure that the property’s natural heritage is not degraded through cumulative impacts over time. The objective incorporates the benchmark of the present-day condition of the property against which long-term management performance must be assessed.

5.1 Conservation of the Outstanding Natural Features of the HPNP

5.1.1 Integrity Maintenance of the integrity of the property is important to manage the biological processes to conserve composition, structure, functions and evolutionary potential of biodiversity. Loss of forest lands due to forest fires, encroachments, planned developments and conversion to other land uses as well as forest fragmentation due to road constructions and other land development activities should be prevented and surveyed boundary should be maintained.

OBJECTIVE 1- To maintain the integrity of HPNP Prescriptions

Develop and implement a well defined mechanism for periodic maintenance of property’s boundary preferably with assistance of peripheral communities.

No proposals should be entertained in relation to development activities, other than those prescribed in the management plan, within the HPNP

Develop and implement a forest fire management plan

5.1.2 Biological Diversity The HPNP along with the PWPA and KCF provides plentiful evidence of the biotic evolutionary processes that have taken place from Miocene period to the more recent geological times. There are strong evidence to believe that the evolutionary processes are ongoing and would continue in this site if the remaining habitats are well protected. In case of flora, the best example is the family Dipterocarpaceae, which is pantropic and have 58 species in Sri Lanka and all of them are endemic suggesting the biotic evolutionary processes taken places in the wet zone forests in Sri Lanka where the property is located. Similar evidence are available in case of fauna as well.

HPNP is home for a large number of endemic and threatened faunal and floral species. There are 192 species of woody plants in HPNP of which 79 species are endemic while 14 species are globally threatened. In case of fauna there are 78 species of birds with 14 endemic species, 9 species of reptiles

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with 8 endemic species, 11 species of amphibians with 10 endemic species, and 28 species of mammals with 11 endemic species. A total of 23 species of fauna is globally threatened.

Number of threats to the conservation of biodiversity in the HPNP has been identified and grassland fires and spread of invasive species are the most important threats.

OBJECTIVE 3 -To maintain the biological diversity and biological processes in

favourable condition

Prescriptions

Develop awareness programmes for villagers and visitors to address the issues such as forest fires, invasive species and poaching etc.

Develop a comprehensive fire management plan with the assistance of local communities.

Continue monitoring the impact of visitors on significant features of the vegetation, taking action (re-routing visitors etc) to prevent degradation, where necessary

Continue providing information on the location of important plant and animal communities to facilitate responsible access

Prepare a research plan for biodiversity monitoring

Enhance the law enforcement capacity of Department of Wildlife Conservation in order to protect the property’s boundary and to prevent other illegal activities including poaching

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5.2 Knowledge Enhancement and Dissemination of Research Results

5.2.1 Research Research and development have an important role to play in the resolution of the problems faced in the management of HPNP. Several research studies covering various disciplines have been carried out in the HPNP and its buffer zone over the years. Inadequacy of facilities in HPNP for researchers and the absence of comprehensive research plan for HPNP have been identified as main drawbacks in the research program. Lack of coordination among various research institutions those who are engaged in research activities in HPNP has led to the duplication of work and sub optimal use of valuable resources.

OBJECTIVE 4 -To gain a greater understanding of the key aspects of the HPNP’s

natural and cultural heritage Prescriptions

Develop a Research Framework for PWPA

Review all existing research programmes to ensure they fit within the new Research Framework when it has been produced

Undertake a feasibility study into establishing HPNP as an international research facility

5.2.2 Data Collection With the considerable amount of biological, ecological, and cultural information generated by research and survey work on HPNP, agreed protocols need to be in place to ensure that it is consistently collected, organized, written-up and made easily available. This will improve the ability to synthesize and understand the information, and to share it with others.

OBJECTIVE 5 -To ensure that information gathered on or about HPNP is collected,

collated and managed to agreed standards and the results of any research made

widely available Prescriptions

Agree protocols on the collection, collation and storage of any research data gained from the PWPA.

Ensure the results of any research undertaken on the HPNP are provided to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) and others as appropriate

Encourage the dissemination of information on all stages of research projects, through newspaper articles, interim reports, web articles and general interest publications, as well as academic reports

Ensure frequent liaison between DWLC staff and researchers who work on HPNP

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5.3 Informed, Responsible and Enjoyable Access

5.3.1 Recreation HPNP is rich in many scenic, environmental, sociological and cultural resources which are capable of attracting many local and foreign visitors.

The HPNP contains one of the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery in the highlands of Sri Lanka. As mentioned before, HPNP contains the largest single extent of montane grasslands and the dwarf forests on mountain slopes.

HPNP is also home to many species of fauna. Many kinds of birds and large heards of Sambur can be seen throughout the area. This diversity and the unique landscape, including the famous ‘world’s end’, of HPNP is capable of attracting many local and foreign visitors.

While nature based tourism has many positive impacts on socio-economic development, there will be some negative impacts as well unless a proper visitor management system is in place. HPNP attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually and proper visitor management plan is essential to reduce the impact of over visitation on the surrounding environment

OBJECTIVE 6 -To enable responsible access to HPNP Prescriptions

Develop a Visitor Management Plan to enable sustainable access and enjoyment of the HPNP

Explore ways to enhance the visitor experience

Ensure visitor information is made widely available and accessible

Continue monitoring visitor numbers

Review and develop a more rigorous method of assessing visitor impacts on the natural and cultural heritage of HPNP

Review and update the guidelines for using nature trails and pilgrim paths

Encourage the research in to the effect of over visitation on natural heritage of HPNP

5.3.2 Visitor Facilities Overnight accommodation in HPNP is available at Mahaeliya and Ginihiriya lodges. In addition dormitory facilities are available for about 40 visitors and three camping sites are also available for nature lovers. Majority of visitors to HPNP is day visitors and visitor centres at the park entrance provide them with the basic information on HPNP.

OBJECTIVE 7 -To continue to provide limited visitor facilities on PWPA

Prescriptions

Review adequacy of the facilities provided for visitors, as part of the Visitor Management Plan

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Monitor overnight camping on the HPNP

Assess the current and anticipated visitor demand and make changes as appropriate to the current plan to improve the existing visitor facilities and to develop new facilities within the HPNP

Ensure that the proposed improvements to the visitor facilities are conform to the guidelines on infra structure development and does not have any adverse impact on the outstanding universal value of the HPNP

5.4 Education and Interpretation Programs

5.4.1 Education HPNP has the potential to link into a wide range of subjects for formal education, aimed at all age groups, built on the readily available information from research programmes on the HPNP’s outstanding heritage. Such links would bring benefits both to students and to the HPNP offering an opportunity to fulfil the Vision for HPNPas a model for environmental education. Education initiatives will be developed with schools and universities and in conjunction with other interested parties including community based organizations where possible. A project to produce educational materials linking the HPNP with the existing national educational curriculum will be initiated. In addition materials will be developed for teachers which will be downloadable from the proposed World Heritage website. These initiatives will make HPNP more accessible to school children, university students, and other interested parties in the country.

Lack of infrastructure, absence of a proper educational plan and scarcity of trained personnel to deliver quality educational programs have been identified as the main shortcomings in the overall educational program of HPNP.

OBJECTIVE 9 -To foster closer links between the HPNP and schools and links with the

educational curriculum

Prescriptions

Prepare a project linking the HPNP to the national educational curriculum, including developing materials for teachers

Develop a plan in order to engage Forest Department staff of DWLC in delivering educational programs in line with the national education curricula on HPNP in particular and world heritage natural sites in general with the partnerships of Ministry of Education and Universities

Improve the existing facilities in HPNP to deliver high quality educational programs for school children, university students and for general public

5.4.2 Interpretation Proper interpretation service is a key to make visitors fully appreciate the outstanding value of the property that they are visiting. Interpretation services go beyond the traditional information provision and try to reveal concepts, meanings and interrelationships of natural, cultural, and religious

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phenomena. Having a proper interpretation service in HPNP would make the visitors more responsible, educated and caring.

The present interpretation service available in the HPNP is not adequate to cater to the needs of the various categories of visitors touring the area. Improvement of existing information centres, production of quality printed materials and providing the service of well trained guides have been identified as key requirements to provide a better interpretation service for HPNP.

To ensure an holistic approach is taken, an Interpretation Plan will be produced. It will identify any gaps in the present system and identify where new initiatives would result in visitors gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of the HPNP, and the importance of sustainable conservation management. It will also ensure any interpretation initiatives do not adversely impact upon the cultural and natural heritage of the PWPA.

OBJECTIVE 10 - To promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the HPNP and

the importance of sustainable conservation management through the interpretation

provided both on and off HPNP

Prescriptions

Prepare an Interpretation Plan for the HPNP after reviewing the current arrangements

Develop printed materials to provide general visitor information, preliminary information on HPNP, detailed information on nature trails, and scientific information on unique flora and fauna on HPNP .

Prepare a HRD plan to train guides on all relevant disciplines to ensure providing quality interpretation service for both local and foreign visitors

5.5 Community and Stakeholders Participation

5.5.1 Community Participation The establishment of forested protected areas can place restrictions on the use of resources by peripheral communities. Whilst these areas provide important ecosystem services at the global, regional and local levels, the restrictions place on resource use by local communities may affect their livelihoods.

It has been suggested that carefully managed protected areas could help to alleviate poverty; conserving biological resources whilst providing developmental benefits to marginalized communities. However, it has also been suggested that protecting areas of forest can increase poverty and marginalization, resulting in lost livelihoods and dislocation of communities, raising ethical moral and practical questions regarding protected area management.

HPNP is surrounded by natural forests and only few communities are found in the vicinity of HPNP. Their assistance, however, could be sought in managing the property.

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OBJECTIVE 11 -To improve the livelihood of peripheral communities in the HPNP

and to foster stronger links with communities Prescriptions

Enhance the income generation activities in the buffer zone communities of HPNP

Strengthen the community based organizations in the buffer zone

Explore the potential for making partnership with local communities in managing HPNP

Develop a benefit sharing mechanism that would promote local community participation in HPNP management

5.5.2 Buffer Zone HPNP is surrounded by five Reserved Forests namely Agra Bopath, Bogawantalawa, Pattipola-Ambewela, Welegama, and Ohiya managed by the Forest Department and Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. As the Horton Plains is encircled by natural forests and these natural forests are solely managed for conservation with limited access to outsiders only for research and visitation, there are very limited threats from outside to the HPNP. Moreover, there are no sizable human settlements in the buffer zone and human interventions are limited to the prescribed activities in the conservation management plans of surrounding forest areas.

Legal protection for the HPNP has been provided under the provisions of Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. Every national park has a legally defined bufferzone with a width of 1.6 kilometers and all development activities within this zone has been regulated.

Though the property is largely free from human interventions due to lack of puerperal communities, some incidence of estate workers in the close by tea estates entering in to HPNP for firewood collection has been reported and this need to be controlled.

OBJECTIVE12 -To ensure that the buffer zone of PWPA is managed as an additional

layer of protection to the property Prescriptions

Conduct an education program for puerperal communities including the estate workers on the importance of HPNP

Assist the puerperal communities to develop alternate sources for daily requirement of forest products

Develop a benefit sharing mechanism that would promote local community participation in HPNP management

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5.6 Coordinated Management

5.6.1 Working Together Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) understands that the managing and conserving the HPNP is considerably more difficult without the support and involvement of the key stakeholders. It is essential to have regular communication between all parties involved, at the strategic planning level and also in the day-to-day management of HPNP. DWLC will work together with other stakeholders to deliver the joint objectives in this Management Plan. There are a number of important partnerships with stakeholders such as local communities, universities, other ministries and government departments, and NGO that the DWLC would like to strengthen and develop in future, to facilitate greater co-operation and collaborative working.

OBJECTIVE 14-To ensure staff of Department of Wildlife Conservation maintain cordial

relationship with stakeholders as appropriate Prescriptions

Undertake annual strategic management meetings and regular operational meetings with key stakeholders

Review progress on the Management Plan on a regular basis with key stakeholders

Continue to strengthen and develop relationships with all stakeholders

5.7 Staffing and Financial Resources

5.7.1 Staff Adequate staff at the HPNP is crucial to the ongoing conservation management of the property’s outstanding universal value as well as to enabling safe and enjoyable access for visitors. To ensure the HPNP is managed to a standard that meets the obligations of its national and international designations, it is essential that adequate resources are in place.

HPNP is managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. HPNP field staff comprising of Park Warden, Wildlife Rangers, Range Assistants and Wildlife Guards is engaged in the day to day management activities of the HPNP.

OBJECTIVE 15-To ensure that the operational needs of the HPNP are supported by

adequate staffing levels Prescriptions

Review staffing requirements and identify where additional resources are required

Facilitate volunteering opportunities

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Work with key stakeholders to resolve these issues, where possible

5.7.2 Induction and Training It is essential that the staff at HPNP is provided with special training on conservation management as the work they suppose to carry out is somewhat different from the traditional park management activities. In addition to the in-service training provided at the Wildlife Training Centre at Giritale, it is essential to provide some overseas training for the key staff officers in order to familiarize with the new approaches used in conservation management in other parts of the world.

OBJECTIVE 16-To ensure that all those working on HPNP have the necessary induction

and training Prescriptions

Review and update the current induction programme for all staff working in HPNP

Ensure any training needs are identified and undertaken

5.7.3 Finance Central Highlands of Sri Lanka World Heritage Site, where the HPNP is located, is one of the two natural World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. Currently the funding for management of this property is provided through the government treasury. More funding would be needed in future especially to implement the proposed Visitor Management Plans and alternate sources of funding need to be explored.

.

OBJECTIVE 17-To ensure there are adequate financial resources available to manage

HPNP to world heritage standards Prescriptions

Plan and implement a long term strategy to generate sufficient funding for the management of HPNP

Identify appropriate and feasible commercial opportunities to maximise the PWPA’s income

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CHAPTER 6 - Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework National Wildlife Policy provides a comprehensive foundation for the wildlife related legislation and for developing supportive institutions. Department of Wildlife Conservation have the overall responsibility for the execution of the HPNP management plan in line with the current wildlife policy and the legislative support provided by the Fauna and Flora Protection ordinance and the regulations made under it.

6.1 National Wildlife Policy National Wildlife Policy has seven main objectives and several strategies to meet the policy objectives.

To conserve wildlife resources, through protection, research, education, sustainable use and benefit sharing, for the benefit of present and future generation.

To maintain ecological processes and life-sustaining systems, with particular regard to primary production, hydrological balance, nutrient cycles, and prevention of erosion, siltation, drought and flood.

To manage all components of genetic diversity, as resources to improve crop plant and farm animal, and to develop in a fair and equitable manner new product and processes through bio-prospecting.

To ensure sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits, arising from the direct and indirect use of wildlife resources and ecosystems.

To conserve native and endemic species and their habitats, so as to maintain the overall species richness and ecological integrity of the country.

To encourage the development of biological repositories, for the purposes of conservation education and science.

To encourage the private sector and communities to join as a full partners in all aspects of the wildlife-conservation process.

6.2 Legislative Framework

Horton Plain was declared a National Park in 1988 under the provisions of section 2 of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance FFPO). A wide array of provisions is available under the FFPO for legal protection and sustainable management of the property. It also provides opportunities for collaborative working and benefit sharing.

6.3 Institutional Structure

6.3.1 Department of Wildlife Conservation Natural Resource Management division of the Department of Wildlife Conservation is responsible for the management of HPNP under the guidance of Director General and Director (Operations). Annual programs of the Department are implemented by the Park Warden, Wildlife Rangers, Range Assistance and Wildlife Guards at the field level.

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6.3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Adaptive Management It is a fundamental requirement that the plan implementation is continuously monitored and evaluated. Monitoring and evaluation of plans help managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the management strategies, and create the data necessary for implementing adaptive management.

Baseline data will be collected against each objective presented above and periodic monitoring of the ongoing activities will be carried out. A monitoring plan containing the persons responsible for monitoring, target dates for achievement of the result, monitoring intervals and a budget will be prepared for this purpose. Interim evaluation of plan implementation will be carried out after two years.

Management strategies will be changed based on the research findings, feedback of monitoring data and ongoing evaluation.