Sinharaja Forest Reserve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a
national park and a
biodiversity hotspot in
Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a
Biosphere Reserve and
World Heritage Site by
UNESCO.
The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the
Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion,
was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility,
and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World
Heritage Site in 1988. The reserve's name translates as
Kingdom of the Lion.
The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of
7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of
endemic species, including trees, insects,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as
Yala. There are about 3
elephants and the 15 or so
leopards are rarely seen. The commonest larger mammal is the endemic
Purple-faced Langur.
An interesting phenomenon is that
birds tend to move in
mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy
Orange-billed Babbler. Of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive
Red-faced Malkoha,
Green-billed Coucal and
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.
Reptiles include the endemic
Green pit viper and
Hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially
tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic
Common Birdwing butterfly and the inevitable leeches.
Peaks
- Pinipitigala
- Mulawella
Access ways
- Kudawa entrance - Colombo --> Kalawana --> Kudawa
- Pitadeniya Entrance - Galle or Matara --> Deniyaya --> Pitadeniya
- Morning Side Entrance -- Galle or Matara --> Deniyaya --> Morning Side Estate
Flora
The vegetation of Sinharaja may be described either as a tropical
lowland rain forest or tropical wet evergreen forest. Some striking
characteristics of the forest are the loftiness of the dominant trees,
the straightness of their bole, the abundance of regeneration and the
diversity of species. Average height of the trees varies between 35m –
40m.some individuals rise even up to 50m.The vegetation of Sinharaja is
that of humid wet evergreen forest type with a high degree of endemism.
In fact some families such as Dipterocarpaceae show an endemism more
than 90%. The untapped genetic potential of Sinharaja flora is
enormousOut of the 211 woody trees and lianas so far identified within
the reserve 139 (66%) are endemic. Similarly, high levels of endemism
are perhaps true for the lower plants like ferns, epiphytes as well. Out
of 25 genera endemic to Sri Lanka 13 are represent in Sinharaja. The
total vegetation density, including trees, shrubs, herbs and seedlings
has been estimated to be around 240,000 individuals per hectare, of
which 95% comprise individuals of the ground layer bellow 1m in height.
The density of trees, lianas above 30 cm girth at breast height, ranges
between 600 – 700 individuals per hectare while the number of
merchantable individuals of trees of girth grater than 150 cm ranges
between 45-55 individuals per hectare.
Fauna
Studies on the fauna of Sinharaja have revealed that there is a high
degree of endemism among the butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles,
birds and mammals are greater than 50%. There have been reports of
sightings of a few animals in the eastern Secter.The most common deer
species is the Sambhur The Monk deer and Barking deer are also found
within the reserve. Leopards are very seldom sighted, but their frequent
presence has been confirmed by tracks and other signs. Badger Mongoose
and the Golden Palm Civet have been occasionally sighted. The most
commonly seen primate is the Purple - faced Leaf Monkey.Although the
elephants said to be common in the past, there have not been reports of
sightings during the last 15 years. Out of the Birds recorded in the
western sector of the reserve, 72% were resident non-endemic and 13%
migrants. One of the most interesting and colorful spectacles to be
found in the Sinharaja is the presence of mixed species of foraging bird
flocks, a phenomenon commonly found in rain forests total of 100 such
flocks were systematically observed, and studies have revealed that some
flocks contained 48 species including 12 endemic species. The rare
endemic birds to be seen in Sinharaja are the Red-faced Malkoha, the Sri
Lanka Blue Magpie, the Ashy-headed Barbbler, and the White - headed
Starling and the Green – billed Coucal the rarest of Sri Lankan birds.
The Agamids are the best represented group of reptiles, the most common
being the Green Garden Lizard. Of Special significance are the sightings
of Calotes Liolepis an arboreal species, the rearest of all agamids
found in the island. The only Tortoise recorded in the reserve is the
Hard - shelled Terrapin, while of the species of skinks, the spotted
skink can be seen often. Among the snakes The Green Pit Viper and
Hump-nosed Viper are commonly found in this forest and are endemic to
Sri Lanka. The amphibians are fairly well represented in the reserve and
nine endemic species have been identified. The endemic Torrent toad and
the common house toad. In most streams and marshes, the Wrinkled frog
and The Sri Lankan Reed frog is also found in Sinharaja. Ramanella
palmata a rare endemic species is the only microhylid recorded so far
while the yellow-banded Caecilian is the only apodan recorded. It is
desirable that you, who visit the forest, be sensitive to the need to
conserve forests such as Sinharaja.Contray to the chaos and congestion
prevailing in urban areas, it is in forests that the quality of life is
best expressed. In addition man finds peace and tranquillity in forest.
Allow yourself sufficient time to roam about within this nature’s green
cathedral and enjoy its beauty and majesty whether you be a
photographer, artist, scientist or a nature lover.
Gallery
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Vegetation of the Sinharaja
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The high tree canopy in the reserve
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See also
External links
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sri Lanka and conservation
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