Flood Plains National Park, National park along Mahaweli River in Sri Lanka.
Flood Plains National Park spreads across floodplain landscapes with 38 shallow swampy depressions called villus, located between 20 and 60 meters in elevation. These natural basins create diverse habitats that support a wide range of plants and animals.
The area holds ancient cave monasteries with inscriptions dating from the 2nd to 7th century BC along the right bank of Mahaweli River. These sites demonstrate the long history of human settlement within this region.
Local farming communities have traditionally worked the riverbanks for tobacco cultivation, while the wetland areas serve as protected zones for wildlife conservation. This balance between human activity and nature protection shapes how the place functions today.
The park is best explored through organized tours that include transportation from nearby towns and guidance from local wildlife specialists. Visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes and rain gear, as the marshy paths can be challenging, especially during wetter seasons.
The reserve functions as a vital elephant corridor connecting Wasgamuwa and Somawathiya national parks, hosting between 50 and 100 elephants. This role makes it a critical passage for the movement and survival of elephant populations across the region.
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