Hakgala Botanic Gardens

Search again Edit this page
Sri Lanka - Hakgala

Institution Code: HAKGL

BGCI Member: Yes

About the Hakgala Botanic Gardens

The second largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka, Hakgala Botanical Gardens is picturesquely situated in the hill country, a mere ten kilometres (six miles) away from the city of Nuwara Eliya. The comfortable cool weather that prevails throughout the year compliments the exotic flora and fauna, creating a true paradise.

According to the legends, the history of Hakgala Gardens dates back to the time of Ramayanaya; an epic love story of the east. Queen Sita, captured and brought to Sri Lanka, is said to have been hidden in this vicinity - the Hakgala Gardens at that time was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana.

The present day Hakgala Gardens was established in 1861 under the patronage of Dr G H W Thawaites. Originally it was used for the cultivation of cinchona and later for tea. The development of Hakgala Gardens as a botanic garden was initiated by Mr William Nock and since then many varieties of flowers and trees, both local and foreign, have been introduced.

A network of small creeks, complete with wooden bridges, is seen throughout the garden, creating a magical atmosphere. The magnificent rose garden, conifers, cedars, cypresses, variety of pines and English oak are just a few examples of the diversity of plant life that is seen here.

Main Address:
Hakgala Botanic Gardens
Hakgala
Sri Lanka

Telephone: +94 52 2182
Fax:
URL: http://botanicgardens.gov.lk
Primary Email: dirnbg@sltnet.lk

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Dr. D.S.A. Wijesundara, Director General
    Curator's Name: Mr. M. M. D. J. Senarathne, Curator of HBG
    Plant Records Officer's Name: Mr. K.N. Yapa

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Physical Data
  • Latitude: 7.8730
    Longitude: 80.7717
    Altitude: 0.00 Metres

Features and Facilities

Plant Collections

  • Special Collections:Old tea trials, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Pinus, Melaleuca, Casuarina, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cinnamomum camphora, Syncarpia glomulifera, Rhodoleia championi, Michelia nilagirica, Rhododendron zeylandicum, Streptosolen jamesonii, Santolina chamaecyparissus. The

Conservation Programmes

Research Programmes

Education Programmes