The tropical island of Sri Lanka is well forested, with more than 18899 acres (6648ha) of hilly virgin, uninhabited woodland in the Sinharaja Forest alone. Pocketed between two sizeable rivers, namely river Kalu Ganga from the north & river Gin ganga from the south of the numerous rivers of this paradise like tropical island of Sri Lanka, no larger than state of Virginia, is a virgin tropical rainforest of enormous ecological significance, a treasure trove of biodiversity. The wet zone rain forest, with a breadth of 3.7 km north to south stretches 21km west to east over the hills, along the ridges & across the valleys ranging in altitude 200m to 1300m. This narrow strip of undulating terrain is drained by an intricate network of streams, which flow into the two rivers.
Though Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest was declared a forest reserve as far back in 1875, heavy logging began in 1971 resulting in a people’s protest against the misguided government directive that allowed felling of timber. In 1978 Sinharaja was declared a national reserve & inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988. People Power Prevails!!!! Long live People Power.
The vegetation of Lion King Rain Forest consists of Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest & Tropical Lowland Forest, with lofty, very straight dominant trees being a distinctive feature. It is reputed to shelter some 120 trees species, including ironwood, satinwood, teak & ebony. The oldest parts of the rainforest comprise dense stands of towering trees enmeshed in exotic tangles of ferns and lianas; the top of the canopy reaches heights up to 45m with giant Newada trees among others. Nearly all the sub canopy tree found here are rare or endangered. The vegetation below the sub canopy is thick. More than 65% of the 217 types of trees & woody climbers endemic to Sri Lanka’s rainforest are found in Sinharaja. As the heart of the island’s wet zone, on most days the forest conjures rain clouds that replenish its deep soil & balance water resources for a wide area of southwestern Sri Lanka. Sinharaja’s importance lies not just in its pristine nature, but also in the high degree of endemism of its species.
Flowers
Among the carnivorous plants is lovely Baduara. The deep test tube like green flower, Badura, closes its leaf lid whenever an insect creeps in. The flower ages into fiery red.
Among the carnivorous plants is lovely Baduara. The deep test tube like green flower, Badura, closes its leaf lid whenever an insect creeps in. The flower ages into fiery red.
Mamals
There are 12 species of mammals to be found in Sinharaja, of which eight are endemic to Sri Lanka. Kola Wandura (Purple-faced langur monkey), Gona (Sambhur), Olu Muwa (Barking deer), Wild boar (Pus scrofa), rusty spotted cats, fishing cats are found here. The purple-faced langur monkey is the most commonly seen of mammals. There are three species of squirrels: the dusky-striped jungle squirrel, flame-striped jungle squirrel and western giant squirrel. Leopard, Badger Mongoose and the Golden Palm Civet have been occasionally sighted. Porcupines and Pangolins waddle around the forest floor.
There are 12 species of mammals to be found in Sinharaja, of which eight are endemic to Sri Lanka. Kola Wandura (Purple-faced langur monkey), Gona (Sambhur), Olu Muwa (Barking deer), Wild boar (Pus scrofa), rusty spotted cats, fishing cats are found here. The purple-faced langur monkey is the most commonly seen of mammals. There are three species of squirrels: the dusky-striped jungle squirrel, flame-striped jungle squirrel and western giant squirrel. Leopard, Badger Mongoose and the Golden Palm Civet have been occasionally sighted. Porcupines and Pangolins waddle around the forest floor.
Birds
Lion king Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to a total of 147 species. Among the endemic birds are Ceylon Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus), Layard’s Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae), Ceylon Jungle Fowl (Gallus Lafayetti), Spur Fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarta), Ceylon White-headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Columba torringtoni), Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), Spotted-wing Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera), Rufous Babbler (Turdoides rufescens), Brown- capped Babbler (Pelleurneum fuscocapillum), Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush (Garrulax cinereifrons), Ceylon Blue Magpie (Cissa oronata), White Headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Green-billed Coucal (Centrophus chlororhynchus), Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus), Ceylon Hill Mynah or Grackle (Gracula ptilogenys) and Legge’s Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens)
Lion king Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to a total of 147 species. Among the endemic birds are Ceylon Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus), Layard’s Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae), Ceylon Jungle Fowl (Gallus Lafayetti), Spur Fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarta), Ceylon White-headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Columba torringtoni), Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), Spotted-wing Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera), Rufous Babbler (Turdoides rufescens), Brown- capped Babbler (Pelleurneum fuscocapillum), Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush (Garrulax cinereifrons), Ceylon Blue Magpie (Cissa oronata), White Headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Green-billed Coucal (Centrophus chlororhynchus), Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus), Ceylon Hill Mynah or Grackle (Gracula ptilogenys) and Legge’s Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens)
