An Inland wetland of Man-made origin located in the Dry Zone of the North-Central province. Nachchaduwa is a recently rehabilitated ancient irrigation tank. The tank catchment forms a part of the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, which is notably high in floral and faunal diversity. The landscape surrounding Nachchaduwa was part of the ancient Anuradhapura kingdom and has been influenced by human activities for centuries. Few patches of natural forests remain in the southern boundary of the tank. The aquatic vegetation in the tank consists of phytoplankton and rooted vegetation, while certain parts of the tank and its borders, which are seasonally inundated, are important feeding and breeding habitat for birds. Four types of terrestrial vegetation (dry mixed evergreen, riverine, scrub land and home gardens) are present in the area. 105 plant species have been recorded. 65 bird species have been documented. Freshwater fish in this tank are dominated by exotics (Oreochromis mossambicus, Labeo rohita and Ctenopharyngodon idella). Indigenous species such as Channa striata are commercially important. Other indigenous fish include Puntius spp, and Rasbora spp. Reptiles include Crocodylus palustris, Geochelone elegans, Lissemys punctata and Melanochelys trijuga. Water birds include Pelecanus philippensis, Anhinga melanogaster and Haliaeetus leucogaster. Mammals include Canis aureus, Lutra lutra, Elephas maximus and Prionailurus viverrinus. At least five species of endemic plants, Anisophyllea cinnamomoides, Diospyros ebenoides, Vernonia zeylanica and Willughbela cirrhifera have been recorded from the adjacent forests. Several important archaeological remains including an ancient diversion weir have been discovered from the vicinity. The Aruvil Aru, which is the second largest river in Sri Lanka, was one of the earliest sites of human settlement in the country. Settlements in the region reach back to pre-historic times. The exact time frame of the construction of Nachchaduwa is unknown, but the reservoir was possibly already in existence in the early part of the first millennium A.D.

Nachchaduwa Tank Related references