ROUNDSTUBE/aven1961

Elephants are mammals of the family Elephantidae and the largest existing land animals. Three species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. African elephants are listed as vulnerable and Asian elephants as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade, as the animals are poached for their ivory tusks. Other threats to wild elephants include habitat destruction and conflicts with local people. Elephants are used as working animals in Asia. In the past, they were used in war; today, they are often controversially put on display in zoos, or exploited for entertainment in circuses. Elephants are highly recognisable and have been featured in art, folklore, religion, literature, and popular culture. Groups of elephants, or herds, follow a matriarchal structure with the eldest female in charge. The matriarch relies on her experience an

The dog is a domesticated carnivore of the family Canidae. It is part of the wolf-like canids, and is the most widely abundant terrestrial carnivore. The dog and the extant gray wolf are sister taxa as modern wolves are not closely related to the wolves that were first domesticated, which implies that the direct ancestor of the dog is extinct. The dog was the first species to be domesticated, and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human behavior, and they can thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be inadequate for other canids. Dogs vary widely in shape, size, and colors. They perform many roles for humans, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship, and, more recently, aiding disabled people, and therapeutic roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet of &qu

A walk in the Forest from Sunrise to Sunset is really reflecting on John Muir’s words captures this opportunity, “Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.” This invitation to take a walk in the woods enables us to experience a heightened awareness of the inner workings of nature and ourselves. The health benefits of being in the wilderness become evident when we consider the proximity of trees in the forest, all connected in an elaborate underground web. This connection through small tubes made up of fungi at roots is called mycorrhizal fungi which spans out and weaves an underground pattern. The thread-like fungi assist each tree or plant by siphoning carbon-rich sugar from branches to roots through photosynthesis. From roots to branches the fungi deliver nitrogen and phosphorous from soil. As in the neural networks in the human brain, this fungus network is not independently helping only one tree at a time; this network is an interdependent, cooperat

Nuwara Eliya (Sinhala: නුවර එළිය Tamil: நுவரெலியா) is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka. The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the explorer of Lake Albert and the upper Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England, was a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elep

Pidurutalagala (Sinhala: පිදුරුතලාගල, pronounced [ˌpidurutaˈlaːɡələ], Straw Plateau Rock), or Mount Pedro in English, is an ultra prominent peak and the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, at 2,524 m (8,281 ft). The mountain was famed as a place to visit during the British regimen. It is situated North-North-East from the town of Nuwara Eliya and is easily visible from most areas of the Central Province. Its summit is home to the central communications array of the Government of Sri Lanka and armed forces and serves as an important point in the country's radar system. The peak is currently designated as an "Ultra-high security zone", and is protected by a large military base; the peak is strictly off-limits to the general public. Pidurutalagala Mountain in Sri Lanka is not open to the public most of the year. However, during certain periods of time passes of admission can be obtained for a drive to the top. Trekking is strictly not allowed. Once the vehicle enters the limits o

Kottawa ( Sinhala: කොට්ටාව ) is one of main suburbs in Colombo and is administered by the Maharagama Urban Council. It is located 21 km (13 mi) from the centre of Colombo. The name Kottawa is derived from the Sinhalese phrase kotten awa, meaning "The city of greats". Later the name was shortened to "Kottawa". The town was part of the Kottawa Electoral District which existed between 1960 and 1977. Kottawa town is located alongside the A4 highway connecting Colombo and Batticaloa. Kottawa town shows a potential to become a key landmark in Sri Lanka's road systems due to the development of the Expressways of Sri Lanka. The Kottawa - Makumbura multimodal transport centre allows commuters to switch between Expressway buses, the Kelani Valley Railway Line and buses running on the A4 highway. Kottawa can be reached via A4 (Colombo - Batticaloa) highway. The northern end of the Southern Expressway is about 2 km (1.2 mi) east of Kottawa on the High Level Road (A4) a

Lake Gregory (Sinhala: ග්‍රෙගරි වැව), sometimes also called Gregory Lake or Gregory Reservoir, is a reservoir in heart of the tea country hill city, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Lake Gregory was constructed during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. The lake and the surrounding area make up the Gregory Lake Area. In the heart of hill country, Gregory Lake is a extremely popular place with both foreign tourists and locals. This is a place to enjoy cool weather. The area was originally a swampy bog at the foot of the small hills that border the town. In 1873 Sir William Gregory authorised the damming of the Thalagala stream, which originates from Mount Pidurutalagala, in order to make more land available for the expansion of the town. In 1881 the lake was stocked with trout by Mr C. J. R. Le Mesurier (Assistant Government Agent for Nuwara Eliya). The park near the lake still gives you various activities such speed boat, swan boats, dinky boats, Pony ride and many more