Ramayana Trail: Misinterpretation of Natural Factors Dhanesh Wisumperuma Seminar on Ramayana Trail Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, Colombo 17th July 2010 Natural Factors misinterpreted . Two types . Natural geological features . Environmental factors . Sources . Websites . www.ramayanresearch.com . www.sltdb.org/ramayana . Legends recorded/ documented Natural geological features . Hills . Ritigala . Rumassala . Dolukanda . Adam’s Bridge . Other geologically important places . Ussangoda etc. Hills . Mentioned as the remnants of the rock that Hanuman “brought from the Himalayan region” . Why these attracted people . Isolated situation . Rising prominently in the flat terrain . Created a “mythical” . Geologically the above rocks were formed during Precambrian Eon (542- 4500 million years ago). Erosion remnants – e.g. Ritigala, Dolukanda Ritigala – in legend History and Archaeology . Ritigala . A historic site . Archaeological remains of Anuradhapura period – various types of monasteries . Dolukanda . Archaeological remains dating back to early Anuradhapura period Ritigala - Environment . Located in the dry zone; separated from the wet and intermediate zones by the dry plains surrounding it. High elevation (766m) has produced a unique climate with wet and intermediate characteristics. Hence wet and intermediate zone plants are present here. Short stature forest is unique – where humidity is high and temperature is relatively low – summits and upper slopes. Most of the wet zone plants are found here. Montane and sub-montane spp are found here and closely comparable to humid sub-montane forest. (Ref: Biodiversity Baseline Survey, Ritigala SNR, 2007) Jayasuriya, 1991, Sri Lanka Forester Ritigala - endemism . Endemism is between wet and Dry zones . 55 plants out of 337 = 16% . Less than the national average = ~ 30% . Higher than the dry zone average . Due to the presence of wet zone plants (Ref: Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka Forester, 1991). This patch of land has more connection to Sri Lankan flora. Medicinal plants . Medicinal Plants includes endemics . Ritigala: 179 medicinal plants (of 337 flowering plants). Includes endemic plants: . Rumassla: around 75, includes endemic plants . Dolukanda: around 115 (Ref: Bandara & Mahatantila, Sri Lanka forester 1996 & Samarakoon, 1990s; de Alwis, 1990) . Only a few endemic plants (3-4%) are used in traditional medicine (around 900 endemics) . Total number of plants used in medicine are around 550- around 700. Rumassala . A massive granite rock . Resisted erosion Dolukanda . Studies are limited . It is shown that the medicinal plant diversity is lower than thought . About 115 medicinally valued plants (de Alwis, ) Adam’s Bridge - Legend . Built by Hanuman On the invitation of Rama Adam’s Bridge Adam’s Bridge – Reality . A shallow ridge of recent conglomerate and sandstone mantled with islands and shoals of shifting sand (Swan, 1983) . The “bridge” is convex towards the gulf of Mannar because the water is deeper and the shape suggests of a net drift of water and sand from Palk Bay to the Gulf (Swan, 1983) . There are different views of the geological origin – In general, this is a naturally built one with the sedimentation of sand washed away from the rivers. Adam’s Bridge – Reality . NASA - Space photos no proof of a man made structure . The Archaeological Survey of India, stated - that there was no scientific evidence to show that the structure is man-made. Indian government submitted an affidavit, saying that there is no historical proof of a man made bridge to the Supreme Court during the case related to the Sethusamudran Ship Canal Case. Ussangoda – legend . One of the areas torched by Hanuman . Said used as an airport by King Ravana . “No” vegetation on the place . “contains blackened burned and scorch effect” Ussangoda – relaity . A unique landscape in the southern coastal belt of the country. Contains serpentinite bodies . Sepentine bodies and associated soils contain heavy metals in high concentrations. These bodies found in the vicinity of the boundary of Highland Complex and Vijayan Complex. (Ref: Cooray, Geology of Ceylon, 1984) Ussangoda – reality . The rock contains 26.73% Iron (III) Oxide (Fe2O3) and 52.77% SiO2. (Ref: Initial studies in unusual behaviour if soil resistance at Ussangoda iron deposit, Wijesinghe et al., 2001, Proceedings of the 17th technical sessions, Institute of Physics) Ussangoda – reality . Floral diversity is low due to: . Research found hyperaccumilation of heavy metals in plants growing at Ussangoda . Only plants that can tolerate the heavy metal concentration can establish in this environment. (Ref: Wickremasinghe and Seneviratne, Metal analysis of some plants and soils and aspects of archaeology at ussangoda, National Forestry Symposium, 2009) Other sites with Serpentine bodies… . Yudhaganawa (Wasgomuwa) – The site which is said “that this particular piece of land can never bear any vegetation as this served as the battlefield …” . Indikolapelessa . Ginigalpelessa . Katupotha Natural environmental features . Plants/ Flowers . “Sita flower” . “Sanjeewani” . Lack of vegetation in certain places . Ussangoda etc. “Chariot path” “Sita flower” – in folk . Rhododendron arboreum subsp. Zeylanicum – endemic sub species . Common plant in the upper montane zone and found in many forests and patana lands where similar geo-climatic conditions exist. Not so rare or peculiar to certain areas. Sita flowers - online Saraca asoca Osbekia spp (?) . Who did the “mistake”? Tour guides? . The association to the legend is a misinterpretation Lack of vegetation - legend Lack of vegetation - Reality . Factors that affect low vegetation diversity on mountain tops . Lack of top soil due to erosion and rocks . Strong winds that prevail in certain areas Others . Sita Eliya . “Cold plain” (iS; t<sh) >> iS;d t<sh . Soils of Sita eliya was due to the burning, but due to decomposing patana grasses. Sita Gangula . “Cold stream” (iS; .Õ=,) >> iS;d .Õ=, (a change taking place at present!) Others Footprints of …………… Undermined value - examples . Ritigala . High endemism in dry zone – a “Strict Nature Reserve” . Archaeological treasure . Ussangoda: . Unique place for “Geo-tourism” & “prehistoric archaeological research” (An Archaeological Reserve since 2001 - a prehistoric site dated for 125,000 years before) . Rhododendron arboreum zeylanicum flower . The first recorded Sri Lankan wild flower in western accounts in Western accounts Thank you . Specially, the researchers who conducted the researches cited.