SInharaja Forest

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is situated in the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka, within Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces. It is bounded on the

• north by the Napola Dola (stream) and Koskulana Ganga (river),

• south and south-west by the Maha Dola and Gin Ganga,

• west by the Kalukandawa Ela and Kudawa Ganga

• east by an ancient footpath near Beverley Tea Estate and by the Denuwa Kanda. Geographic location can be describe as latitude 6°21'-6°26' and , 80°21'-80°34'.
  
  
  View Larger Map

Forest was notified as a heritage wilderness area on 21 October 1988 by the Gazette, no 528/14.  Before this act, most of the land of this area has been protected by Waste Land Ordinance on dated 3rd May 1875.  According to the act, total area of this reserve is 18899 acres and 12 perches and those areas are owned by government.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a one of the world famous rainforest in Sri Lanka. It’s a one of the world heritage. It was notified as a biosphere reserve as 1978 and notified as world heritage in 1988.  Sinharaja has huge biodiversity. Large numbers of animals, floras, birds and other kind of animals are living in Sinharaja. Among those, lot of floras and animals are endemic to Sri Lanka or Sinharaja. More than twenty endemic birds can be shown in this area.

• Ceylon Lorikeet

• Layard's parakeet

• Jungle and Spur Fowl

• Ceylon Wood Pigeon

• Grey Hombill

• Spotted wing Thrush

• Laughing Thrush

• Ceylon Blue Magpie

• White Headed Starling

Sinharaja is based  on cool climate and it recorded rainfall has reanged from 3600mm to 5000 mm and average temperatures from 18o C to 34 o C according to department of climatology.  Mainly rainfall is based on south west monsoon during May to July months and north – east monsoon during November to January.

Lot of kind of  fauna are living within this forest.  Preliminary list of the those,

• Mammals

• Birds

• Reptiles

• Amphibians

• Fishes

• Butterflies

Percentage of endemism is high among those all kind of faunas. When the consider of the birds, 20 of species can be seen in the forest out of 23 species endemic to Sri Lanka. Endemism among mammals and butterflies also greater than 50% . when the consider about threatened animals, those are leopard, Indian elephant .

According to the studies did by the Silva, 1985, there are two villages inside the forest. Those are situated in the south west area and north western sector of the reserve. Currently more than 5000 peoples are living in those villages. Their main occupation is related for the forest. Small number of peoples cultivate tea or rubber. At present visitors are few in numbers, mostly they are naturalists. Small entrance fee is charged for a person and it valid for a 6 pm of this day. Currently entrance  fee for a local visitor, 40 rupees, for a foreigner, 200 rupees. Accommodation facilities are made for the visitors and currently farther developing.