SINHARAJA RAINFOREST

The Sinharaja forest is the only undisturbed rainforest left in Sri Lanka. It is about 900 hectares in extent. Many of the plants are very rate. Over 60% of the tree species are found only in the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. If these species of trees were allowed to get destroyed, the world would lose them altogether. So it is important that much effort is made to conserve this rich, valuble and fragile habitat.

The Sinharaja rainforest is thelargest rainforest reserve in Sri Lanka. In 1840 Sinharaja became a crown property. In 1988 the Sinharaja was made a National Wilderness area. In 1989 UNESCO included the Sinharaja Forest in the World Heritage list, as the first National Hertage os Sri Lanka.

The Sinharaja forest is home to many rare animals, birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles and trees. Ferns and mosses grow well as the climate is humid because of heavy rainfall.

The vegetation

Vegetation means trees, shrubs, herbs and woody climbers. The average height of trees in the Sinharaja varies between 35 to 40 metres. Some trees are above 50 metres.

The animals and the birds

Sinharaja provides a habitat for animals. The plants provide them with food. There are large mammals as well as small ones living there. The purple faced monkeys can be observed easily. They move about in groups. There are herbivores, carnivores as well as mixed feeders. The wild pig, the sambur, the mouse-deer and the barking-deer are some that you find in the Sinharaja. There is also evidence of the presence of the leopard. Among others are the rusty spotted cat and the fishing cat. There are many other varieties of small mammals.

     Studies have recorded 147 species of birds. Some threatened species of birds are found in the Sinharaja. Among them are the blue magpie, the white-headed starling and the ash-headed babbler.

Reptiles

Studies have recorded 45 varieties of reptiles. These include snakes, lizards and tortoises. The viper and the cobra are among the venomous species. Conservation of Sinharaja is of vital necessity. It ensures the maintenance of water resources. It also controls floods, which is a constant threat due to heavy rainfall in the area.