World Heritage Identification Number: 1203
World Heritage since: 2010
Category: Natural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Central Highlands of Sri Lanka: A Biodiverse Haven
The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, is a testament to the rich biodiversity found within this South Asian island nation. Comprising three distinct protected areas – the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park, and the Knuckles Conservation Forest – this region serves as a sanctuary for an array of unique and endangered species.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Sri Lanka's highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. The property comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.
Encyclopedia Record: Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is a recognised World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. The site comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These are rain forests and montane cloud forests where the elevation reaches 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level. The region harbors a variety of mammal species including the bear monkey, Trachypithecus vetulus monticola, and the critically endangered [possibly extinct] Horton Plains slender loris, Loris tardigradus nycticeboides,.Additional Site Details
Area: 56,844 hectares
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 7.45245 , 80.8021
Image
© Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)