Horton Plains were designated as a nature reserve on 5th December, 1969. Further, considering the biological, natural, and geographical importance this plain was annunciated as a Natural Park by the Department of Wildlife Conservation on 16th March, 1988. The gravity of Horton Plains is well reflected by asserting it as a World Heritage in 2010.
However, as a whole the landscape of Horton Plains typically consists of a complex environmental structure containing undulating lands covered in a tropical cloud of rain forests, wet verdant alpine savannah grasslands locally known as “Pathana”, Carr or wet lands and woody grasslands. A spanned forest-line cannot be confronted nowhere in the plains instead there are wood-allotments.
Some significant characteristics can be encountered when comparing other ever-green forests in Sri Lanka with forest-allotments in Horton Place. Tree trunks in here never grow plumb and tall. No tree exceeds the height of 12-15 m. Trees with crouched and twisted branches are just like Japanese Bonsai trees. It is devoid of poly-laminated characteristics. Acmes of trees are often flat and barks are also not thick. When viewing top of the trees conjointly, canopy of trees look in a shape of an umbrFalls. Bio-diversity is in a higher level.
Through the researches done in Horton Plains in uplands with the intention of investigating pre-history of Sri Lanka, around 25 excavation units of stone-age have been discovered. Considering several ecological zones it is clear that the atmospheric conditions of dense wetness, coldness and wind are not convenient to live and this atmosphere creates an acrimonious environment. Even in pursue of equatorial capacity this plains is proved not much convenient for human existence. In accordance to physiographic pattern of highlands, Horton Plains is a separate constitutive fraction. According to anatomy prehistoric minerals that can be sighted here belong to Cambrian era in between 300-600 million years. This is the only wild park that can be explored walking in Sri Lanka.
There are numerous species of flowers leading rhododendron (Rhododendron arboretum) locally known as “Maharathmal”. The plains also features many interesting attractions such as “Baker’s Falls”, “Chimney pool”, The World’s End, Small World’s End and many more.
However, both steeps belong to Ratnapura District. World’s End is locally called as “Lokanthaya”. It has about a 1067 m sheer drop and the steep of the Small World’s End from summit to bottom is about a 762 m sheer drop. When walking across Bakers Falls one can confront the greater steep before the Small World’s End. It is often believed that some amateur travellers stuck in between failing to recognize both worlds’ ends separately.
There are other optional accesses to World’s End. One is the rough route proceeds alongside Bambarakanda waterfall from Kalupahana village in Haldummulla. Other path is the one that lies through Nonpareil Estate from Pambahinna village near Belihuloya. The drops of both Worlds’ Ends give a fabulous view of Belihuloya, Balangoda, Nonparil, and Thissamaharama that spread below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline.
There is the possibility of reaching the feet of World’s end across Nonperial, Belihuloya though it is a dangerous venture. From here, some more splendid attractions can be sighted including Hirikatu Oya and Nonpareil Falls. Sometimes the whole area is submerged in mist for days. The route is also rather narrow and meandering though it gives a better view of outskirts. From here tourists can observe what they could not see on their odyssey to the feet of the World’s End.
