Bird Nest Wildlife Forum

The Hakgala Gardens was first set up in 1861 under the curatorship of three British
nationals of the same name - William Nock, JK Nock and JJ Nock. It lies under the Hakgala
Peak, between 5000 - 6000 feet in elevation - the highest set Botanical Gardens in the
world. It boasts of 100-year-old Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars,
Himalayan Pines and English Oak.
It was founded for the purpose of experimentation and promotion of Cinchona cultivation in
Sri Lanka. The gardens lying in the hill country among Sri Lanka’s tea plantations in the
Nuwara Eliya district are along the Badulla Road, 9.5 km South-east of Nuwara Eliya, the
popular holiday resort.
Situated at an elevation of about 1,745 m above mean sea level, Hakgala Botanical
Gardens, about 28 hectares in extent, lie under the shadow of the Hakgala Rock (meaning
‘Elephant’s jaw rock’). This massive rock towers to a height of about 2,200m behind the
gardens and the surrounding forest reserve like a solitary giant.
The gardens take the shape of several terraces upon the lower slopes of the rock and face
the Uva Valley, across which some magnificent views of the Madulsima and the
Namunukula range of mountains are seen in the distant landscape. The climate of the
Gardens is subtropical, cool, fresh and somewhat similar to an alpine atmosphere.
The temperature ranges from 3°C to 15° C. While the lowest recorded was 3° C. The
gardens receive rainfall from two monsoons. The South West from May to August and the
North East from October to December; the annual average rainfall being about 2300 mm.
During the South west monsoon gusts of strong winds blow across the Gardens towards the
Uva Valley, making weird sounds. When thick mist envelopes the gardens, heavy
downpours of rain falls more frequent in the afternoon and evenings. The best time to see
the gardens is probably from about mid March to the end of April, popularly known as the
Nuwara Eliya seasons. The Gardens put up their best display of temperate annual flowers,
Roses and Orchids during this period.
The flora of the gardens is distinctly sub tropical and consist of representatives of the
indigenous, montane flora intermingled with those introduced from other subtropical
countries, systematically planted in various sections of the gardens.


(http://www.srilankatraveller.com/img_placesofinterest/common_17.jpg)

Sunday Observer Paper cutting

That was really nice, I like it.

Real beauty of nature.