There are plenty of places in almost all parts of Sri Lanka that provide examples of how to understand the uniqueness of the environment. Among them are Rumassala, Knuckles Range, Pidurutalagala and other mountain areas. Many local and foreign tourists visit such places to witness their uniqueness.
Such wonderful ecosystems can be found in Sri Lanka as well as in all other parts of the world. For instance, there is such a wonderful location in South America, where three countries meet together in one mountainous region.
Significant numbers of the flora and fauna found in the area are found nowhere else in the world.
This article is about the Roraima Mountains, which is full of marvellous natural creations such as fountains and waterfalls.
Pakaraima Plateau
Mount Roraima, the highest point on the Pakaraima Plateau in South America, is named after a group of people called ‘Pemon’ who live in the area. According to the language they use, ‘rorai’ means ‘blue mixed green’, while ‘ma’ means ‘great’.
The Roraima region is a plateau between the three countries of Venezuela, the Republic of Guyana and Brazil. About five percent of it is in Brazil, 10 percent in Guyana, and the remaining 85 percent in Venezuela.
Venezuela’s part of the Roraima Mountains is a 30,000-square-mile [30,000 sq km] national park in the southeastern part of the country.
Walter Raleigh, an English explorer, studied the area in 1597. It is most popular because of its table-like surface. The highest point of the mountain is 2,810 metres.
Another specialty is the precipice, which is more than 400m high on each side. Several waterfalls are also located here, the most prominent of which is the Roraima Falls, which is estimated to be 610m high.
The area is believed to be about two billion years old and is home to several flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. It is also considered to be the oldest geological formation on earth. Many of the flora and fauna found in the Roraima Mountains and surrounding areas are endemic to the area.
Sandy or gravel
The Roraima Mountains receive large, medium, and light rainfall throughout the year, and are almost entirely sandy or gravel.
Geologists say that although the land in this area has been fertile for some time, it has been washed away by the constant flow of water.
Frogs and various insects such as lizards and so on can be found in the area. They are very different from other species that are commonly found in other parts of the world.
For the same reason, ecologists have pointed out that the majority of these species are endangered, as tourists visiting the area are accustomed to catching them. Accordingly, many experts have said that tourists should be made aware of the importance of avoiding these animals.
In addition to that many other small species of plants can be found in this area. Among them are carnivorous plant species. Most plants are shrubs that are small in size.
Since significant numbers of these flora and fauna are found only in the Roraima Mountains, countries such as Venezuela and Brazil have taken steps to conserve them.
Indigenous Americans had inhabited the area long before European explorers arrived. Some of these peoples believe that the Roraima Mountains and its environs were once home to all the vegetables and fruits of the world.
They also believe that after a man cut down a tree there, a huge flood occurred, leaving the area as it is today, with only gravel.
Divine influence
Some others believe that the flora and fauna that can be found there are the result of a divine influence.
Mount Roraima is surrounded by high cliffs, making it difficult to climb. However a group climbed the mountain on December 18, 1884.
Today, it is one of the most popular mountain ranges in Venezuela and attracts a large number of tourists from around the world. It is said that it takes approximately three days to climb this mountain.