“Better without gold than without trees”
—Sam Popham
Dambulla Arboretum was established in 1963 by Mr. Sam Popham on 7.5 acres of land in Dambulla, the dry heartland of Sri Lanka. The property was at the time covered with scrub jungle which Mr. Popham described as being
“…a wild disorderly undergrowth lording it over the north, east, and south-eastern parts of the island, a wilderness ‘useless and malarial, mile upon mile like a tired sea ”.
This land and the plains of the north, east and south-east of the island were originally covered with Semi-Evergreen Forest. This tall forest was, too often, destroyed to make way for chena, shifting or slash and burn cultivation and other developmental activities. What springs up in the wake of chena cultivation is the scrub jungle.
After Sam Popham bought the land he enclosed it with the aim of clearing the scrub jungle and replacing it with trees, especially those native to the area. He soon found that the seedlings released spontaneously by his act of clearing away the scrub jungle, grew and prospered much more successfully than seedlings brought in from outside nurseries. The seedlings that had pre-existed the scrub jungle were built to cope with and conquer the harsh conditions of the dry zone. So started the unique experiment that is today the Arboretum. It became a trial in what happens when a piece of scrub jungle is fenced off and judiciously cleared and allowed to rejuvenate with minimal interference from humans. The Arboretum is also unique in that it is the only arboretum in the dry zone of the island.
Arboretum and Woodlands
The IFS-Popham Arboretum is made up of two distinct components, the Arboretum and the Woodlands. The Arboretum was established on a property 7.5 acres in extent in 1963. This land was covered in scrub jungle and Sam Popham began his experiment of reinstating the original dry zone forest soon after he acquired the property.
The Woodlands is 27 acres in extent and was acquired and added onto the property in 1989 after the Arboretum had been gifted to the IFS. At the time of acquisition the woodlands was a piece of land overused for cultivation. After 1989 Sam Popham divided the woodlands into different blocks and implemented the Popham method on these blocks at different stages. Thus the visitor walking through the woodlands will observe blocks at different stages of succession towards the original dry zone jungle. The Popham method of releasing seedlings by judiciously clearing scrub jungle and protecting the seedlings with stakes is still being undertaken in the woodlands. As you walk through the woodlands keep a watch out for young seedlings which have been released and staked out for protection. Another form of protection given to the young seedlings and the property as a whole is the careful establishment of firebreaks throughout the property. The fire gaps established by Sam Popham ran like a maze throughout the property and round the boundaries and are still maintained today to protect from the devastating fires which can spring up so easily in the driest months of the year.
The forests and trees of Sri Lanka's dry zone
The forest found in the dry zone is the semi-evergreen monsoon dry forest. It is so called because along with the evergreen species there are deciduous species that exist in this forest. These forests receive rain from one monsoon only, the northeast monsoon.
These forests are important for many reasons. They house a vast array of bio-diversity in plants and animals. Many of the trees and herbs endemic to these forests are of immense value for medicinal, building and other purposes. Many of the country's national parks are also found in the dry zone which houses a lot of wildlife. They thus have important economic potential.
Unfortunately widespread destruction of these forests has taken place since colonial times for a variety of reasons including building of reservoirs, settlements, logging, and illegal and unchecked harvesting of medicinal products.
Protecting the semi-evergreen monsoon dry forests and the trees that grow there is thus a very important task and the Arboretum has a role to play in this work. It is a haven for over 70 species of evergreen and deciduous trees.
Walking along the trails in the Arboretum you will see some of the finest trees of Sri Lanka's dry zone forests including the world's only true Ebony, Diospyros ebenum, the Arboretum's icon tree Satinwood or Buruta ( Chloroxylon swietenia ), Palu ( Manilkara hexandra ), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica ) and Helamba ( Mitragyna parvifolia ).
What you can see in the Arboretum and Woodlands
Walking through the Arboretum and woodlands you will see many of the trees and shrubs for which Sri Lanka's dry zone is famous and which unfortunately are now rare in the wilds. The forest is made up of hardwood timber trees, trees and shrubs of medicinal value, fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.
The hardwood timbers which have been the prize of the dry zone forest through the years have also been its downfall and have resulted in the decimation of these forests for their timber. Here in the Arboretum the Ebony ( Diospyros ebenum ), Satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia) and Palu (Manilkara hexandra) 3 of the best known timber trees are abundant even though they are now rare in the wilds. Other trees that yield valuable timber are also found here and include Milla (Vitex altissima ), Halmilla (Berrya cordifolia ), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and Ceylon Oak (Schleichera oleosa ).
The Neem ( Azadirachta indica ), Goda Kaduru ( Strychnos nux vomica ) and Weliwenna ( Dimorphocalyx glabellus ) are some of the trees of medicinal value found in these grounds.
It is often difficult to classify these trees and shrubs into one category such as medicinal plants since often the plants have multiple uses. Bauhinia tomentosa commonly known as Kaha Petan is widely used as an ornamental plant because of its attractive yellow flowers with a purple blotch at the base. However the whole plant has medicinal value. The root bark for example is used in treating hepatitis. Another plant of great beauty and renowned for its ornamental value is the Bonfire Tree which comes ablaze during the months of June and July.
The Heen karamba ( Carissa spinarum ) is a shrub found typically in undergrowth in secondary forest in the dry zone and is another good example of a plant with multiple uses. It has jasmine like white flowers, edible fruits and the oil extracted from the leaves is used for wounds and for relieving skin irritations such as itchiness. A fence made from the branches of this shrub are said to be a deterrent even to an elephant.
The trees and shrubs described above provide the habitat necessary for many species of mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians to flourish in the Arboretum. As you walk quietly through the forest keep your eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of a mouse deer tiptoeing through the trees; or a giant squirrel asleep in a tree above you; or toque monkeys frolicking all around. If you're lucky you might even see an elephant walking majestically through the forest.
The Arboretum is home to many bird species and also provides a good stop over point for many birds residing in nearby forests and tanks. The endemic Jungle Fowl and Grey Hornbill can be seen here regularly as can the Brown headed Barbet, White browed Bulbul and the Blue tailed Bee eater. Keep your ears to hear the song of the White rumped Shama, the songster of the Sri Lankan jungles.
There are many reptiles at the Arboretum, some harmful, some not, so tread carefully and be ever watchful. The Green vine snake ( Ahaetulla nasutas ), Common bronze back ( Dendrelaphis pristis ), Rat snake ( Pytas mucosus ), Green lizard ( Calotes calotes ) and the Garden lizard (Calotes versicolor ) are some of the harmless reptiles you will see around. The Cobra ( Naja naja ), Russell's Viper ( Vipera russelli ) and the Indian Rock Python ( Python molurus ) are the harmful ones.
On going development work at the Arboretum
Since the management of the Arboretum has been handed over to Ruk Rakaganno in May 2005 more walking trails have been established and have been colour coded for easy reference. Trees throughout the property have been labeled with scientific, common, Sinhala and Tamil names.
Guides have been employed and trained so that visitors can be accompanied on their walk through the Arboretum. The guides employed include young people from the surrounding areas so that some benefit from the Arboretum flows directly to the community.
A visitor centre has been set up in the cottage built by Mr. Sam Popham and interesting and informative displays are being developed. These include seed collections and leaf and timber displays. Ruk Rakaganno is making use of the Arboretum for research purposes. Currently all the shrubs in the property are being classified by the resident botanist. Other research proposals are being developed by Ruk Rakaganno in conjunction with the IFS. The possibility of conducting research into seed germination rates and propagation methods for various dry zone species is being investigated. This research has not been done for many of these species and is vital for their continued protection and propagation.
Acknowledgements
The recent development of the Arboretum would not have been possible but for the generosity of donors and supporters. Our thanks go out to:
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge for her grant from the President’s Fund.
Prof. K. Tennakone, Chairman, IFS, Kandy
The Board of Directors of the IFS for their support and encouragement:
Prof. S. Bandaranayake, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology,University of Kelaniya
Prof. A. Kovoor
Mr. M D W Ariyawansa, Addl. Secretary to HE the President
Prof. N. Gunatilake, Faculty of Botany, University of Peradeniya
Prof. B R R N Mendis, Chairman, University Grants Commission
Mr. K T Waisundara, Secretary IFS.
The International Dendrology Society for sponsoring the labeling of trees.
Gimanhala Hotel, Dambulla for its ongoing contribution to the Arboretum Fund.