The Knuckles Forest Range is named after the five peaks; Kirigalpottha, Gombaniya, Knuckles, Koboneelagala, and Dotulugala, which look like the knuckles of a clenched fist, that could be seen from many viewpoints.
The Knuckles , locally called as ‘Dumbara hills’ meaning misty mountains, spans the Kandy and Matale Districts covering an area of approximately 21000 ha. The Knuckles massif is separated from the Central Highlands by a deeply incised valley referred to as the Dumbara Valley. It bears the pride of 35 peaks above 1000 m above sea level, 20 over 1500 m, and 2 peaks over 2000 m.
The area above 1500 m in the Knuckles Range was declared as a climatic Reserve in 1873. The Knuckles was declared as a conservation forest in April 2000 and subsequently, as a National Man and Biosphere Reserve. The Knuckles along with Peak Wilderness forest area and Horton Plains (collectively called ‘Central Highlands of Sri Lanka’)declared as a World Heritage Natural Site in 2009.
The most convenient motor-able access routes to popular Dumbara range reaches are Colombo-Ilukkumbura route via Kandy-Matale-Rattota, Colombo-Illukkumbura route via Kurunegala-Galewela-Naula-Pallaegama, Colombo to Bambarella route via Kandy – Wattegama/Teldeniya , Colombo to Deenston via Kandy-Rangala-Corbets Gap (Koratuwa Muduna).
The Dumbara range provides a microcosm of the entire variety of climatic conditions in Sri Lanka from extreme wet to nearly-arid. Highland forest areas are extremely wet with an average annual rainfall of 5000mm. while lowland areas are much drier with less than 2500mm average annual rainfall. Some areas have ground frost during January to March. The area is vulnerable to strong winds.
The tropical lowland semi-evergreen vegetation type is seen in the valleys and foothills . This harbours many large trees such as milla, mora, welang, badulla etc. Tropical montane humid evergreen forests commonly known as upper montane rain forests found on the upper slopes, ridges and summits.
The upper reaches are described as cloud forests rich in colourful orchids, ferns and mosses. Filmy ferns are common on barks of trees and moist rock. In between lowland and montane vegetation , on the lower slopes of the hills, tropical sub-montane humid semi-evergreen forests are found.
Far drier slopes hold dry sub-montane evergreen rain forests . Luxuriant riverine forests are found along the banks of rivers and streams. Savannas with isolated trees scattered over vast expanse of grasslands can be found on hilly slopes.. Patana grasslands , seen as a sea of closely grown grassy cover, are common on hills below 1000 msl.
The unique grassland called “Pitawala patana” is a patana grassland with a great aesthetic appeal. The grass cover is up to 10 m tall and occupy an area of about 10 ha of a gently sloping rock slab covered with just a 10-15 cm deep soil layer.
Scrublands with thorny or prickly shrubs around two meters in height grown as an impregnable thicket occur around present and past settlements.
Pygmy forests known as ‘Kurugaskele’ to locals is another interesting occurrence in knuckles. Here hundreds year old trees with gnarled and twisted trunks and branches rise up to 1-2 m from ground. Their barks are covered with lichens, mosses, orchids and ferns. It is believed to be a product of exposure to continuous and severe gale force winds.
A total of 1033 flowering plant species belonging to 141 families have been recorded from the Knuckles. 288 woody plant species are among them. 15 % of the plant species are endemic. The herb Brachystelma lankana occur in Patana grassland areas, is restricted to Dumabara range. This small plant is locally known as "Patan ala (grassland yam )" as it has edible fleshy tuber.
Dumbara range provides shelter to 128 bird species, 20 amphibians species, 60 butterflies species, 17 mollusk species., 31 mammal species, 53 reptile species, and 15 fish species.
Among the total vertebrate animals recorded in Sri Lanka, five endemic species consisting of 3 freshwater fish species , Phillips Garra, Blotched filamented Barb, and Martenstyn Barb ; one amphibian , Kirthisingha’s Rock Frog and one lizard, Leaf nose lizard are confined solely to the Dumbara range.
The wildboar, Black- naped hare, and the mouse deer are the very commonly seen mammals. Attentive visitors may see Deer, Sambar, Elephant, Buffalo, Loris, jackal, mongoose , Macaque, Leaf monkey ,Squirrel, Civet cat, Golden palm cat, Bandicoot and porcupine.
Of the 128 bird species recorded from Dumbara Range, 17 species are endemic. Black eagle is the largest while the Pale billed flower pecker is the smallest. Barbets, Lorikeets, Egrets, Herons, and kingfishers Bulbuls, Babblers, and woodpeckers add gaiety to the forest environment.
Bird-eating spiders referred to as tarantulas are seldom seen as they hide in crevices and tree holes waiting for prey. Though hailing from a clan well known for their high taste, the Nigger and Common Evening Brown feed on rotten fruit, animal dung and decaying vegetation on forest floor. Casual visitors may mistake the blue oakleaf for a dead leaf as it can disguise itself so well. Endemic Birdwing and Blue Mormon are among the largest butterflies in Sri Lanka.
The Knuckles forest region is an important watershed with several streams feeding the River Mahaweli . Heen ganga, Maha Oya and Hasalaka Oya in the eastern zone, Kaluganga and Theligamu Oya in the nothern zone, and Hulu ganga and Galmal Oya in the western zone flow into the Mahaweli.
Socio - economic importance:
There are about 86 villages in and around the Dumbara forest region which form a unique bio- cultural landscape. 48% of the population depends mainly on subsistance agriculture.
Meemure , the most known village in the range is located by the Meemure oya stream surrounded by a ring of mountains rising to the sky. Meemure is said to have been a place of exile in the Sinhala kings era.
Meemure , the most known village in the range is located by the Meemure oya stream surrounded by a ring of mountains rising to the sky. Meemure is said to have been a place of exile in the Sinhala kings era.
This village is a living example of the rich cultural heritage of the Dumbara valley. The name ‘ Meemure’ is said to have several meanings. One belief is that it be derived from the fact that the village abundant in Mee (Madhuca longifolia) trees . Even today this village is full of Mee trees.
Nature trails:
There are several designated nature trails as well as bicycling routes which give the opportunity to explore and feel the enthralling landscapes across the Dumbara hills and valleys all alive with the sound of nature’s music.
| Kandy | ||
| Deanstone - Mini World’s end | ||
| Deanstone - Dotalugala | ||
| Deanstone - Hapugaskumbura | ||
| Kumbukgolla - Nitre cave | ||
| Tangappuwa - Allugallena | ||
| Bambarella - Knuckles peaks | ||
| Matale | ||
| Pitawala patana - Mini World’s end | ||
| Illukkumbura - Kosgaswela | ||
| Kahagala - Pottawela - Sera ella | ||
| Illukkumbura - Rambukoluwa | ||
| Illukkumbura - Manigala - Etanwala | ||
| Rambukoluwa - Kurahangala | ||
| Narangamuwa - Lakegala | ||
| Rambukoluwa - Doowili ella | ||
| Etanwala - Walpolamulla - Doowili ella. Source - Forest Department of Sri Lanka.        | ||
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