Travel Sinharaja forest
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a 11250 ha National Park in the Rakwana Range, 300-1170 m high in the southwestern part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. It has gotten global consideration and has been pronounced a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest is a rainforest and receives rainfall from both the southwest and northeast monsoons. Southwest (May-September) monsoon manifestations of highest rainfall in the forest. Its average rainfall is around 3000-6000 mm. The minimum rainfall is about 50 mm.
There are four ways to enter the open area for the public to visit Sinharaja. You can reach Kalawana x Veddagala Road, Rakwanakshamonin Si Off Road, Hinidumaksneluwa Road and Deniyakspallegama Road. No one in the Forest Department is allowed to enter these areas.
300 x 1170 m (1000 x 4000 ft) above sea level, Sinharaja, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces, Rakwana Range and valleys. Seven hills over 600 meters can be seen here. These are Hinipitigala (1168 m), Thibbota Gala (904 m), Kosgulana (797 m), Dothalugala (769 m), Mulawella (742 m) and Sinhagala (742 m), Pathinigala 605 m. The highest point here is Hinipitigala (West) hill. This is a minimum elevation of 90 m, 1170 m above sea level.
A view of the Sinharaja forest…
Part of the lowland rainforest ecosystem of Sri Lanka, this unripe mountain rainforest was protected from commercialization due to its inaccessibility. Another reason for this was that it was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. The name “Sinharaja” in the reserve means “Sinharajadahana”.
Distance from east to west of the reserve is about 1 km. 21 km and the maximum distance from north to south is km. Despite its size, it provides a safe sanctuary for indigenous plant species, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Wildlife species such as Yala are difficult to spot because to the deep forest. Elephants are not seen here and leopards are also rarely seen. The biggest normal well evolved creature is the Sri Lankan dim monkey.
One fascinating peculiarity is that birds frequently will generally go about as groups looking for food. Such a multitude frequently comprises of types of birds, for example, the maha kawda and the red Tamilichcha. The Maha Kawda, which takes the lead in such a swarm, is known as a violent bird, and the Red Tamil as a noisy bird.
Animals endemic to Sinharaja
Sinharaja, a World Heritage Site, is home to a large number of wildlife sanctuaries. About 65 species of butterflies can be seen here. Sinharaja is home to the largest butterfly (laommon Birdwing) and other common butterfly species in Sri Lanka, as well as a number of species endemic to Sri Lanka. At the same time, 10 species endemic to Sri Lanka and 27 species of complete amphibians have been found here, including endemic species found so far. There are 43 species of reptiles here. 25 out of 26 endemic bird species have been identified in the forest and 158 species of birds have been identified in the forest. Sinharaja is home to a large number of mammals, including about 40 mammals, of which 07 are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Fish found in the forest
Thalkosa, Purple Salaya, Magura, Blood Bitter, Heart Fish, Betel Hapaya, Gal Padiya, Viran Abhirawa, Green Eater
Endemic amphibian species
Nolarti’s frog, Kotagami dwarf frog, Karunaratne’s narrow frog, small – eared anteater, Kelati dwarf frog, yellow diamond frog, curly frog
Endemic bird species
Whale Rooster, Haban Rooster, Cockroach Gray Rooster, Waterfowl, Mylagoya, Mountain Paddy Owl, Watasudhu Sharikawa, Pita Thambala Wana Bassa, Lanka Ruvirasia, Cane Cockroach, Thitpiya Thirasikaya, Lanka Sitasiya, Head Red Kottaruwa Yellow-eared, Dark Blue Masimara, Gray Parrot, Gira Malitha, Lanka Pilichcha, Mudun Boraga Tamilichcha, Red Tamilichcha, Gray Tamilichcha, Lanka Salihiliniya
Flora system of Sinharaja forest
The Sinharaja Forest is a tropical rainforest and a tropical wet evergreen forest with five layers of evergreen vegetation throughout the year. Wild indicators (eg wild cinnamon, wild pepper) found in our country especially in the flora of the Sinharaja forest are special. In addition to the main layers, Aroka plants, we plants and plants also grow abundantly in Sinharaja. Extinct ferns such as .. have also been found in Sinharaja. Sinharaja alone has 13 endemic plant species. Ecologists have found that 75% of the covered plant species are endemic to Sri Lanka. In general, the Sinharaja forest system is characterized by the presence of evergreen plants, taller plants, less sunlight on the ground, undergrowth, abundant decaying vegetation on the surface of upland vines, and branches with unbranched trunks. .
Neru layer
It has a plant system of more than 45 m in height. These plant systems, which can be seen everywhere, receive good sunlight. Special plants like Hora, Bo Hora, Derana, Dun can be seen in this layer.
Canopy layer
This layer includes vegetation up to 30 × 45 m in height. These distant plants also receive good sunlight. The canopy is very close to where it used to be, a well-grown plant system. Because of this, the plants growing in the aerial layer are a fairly large well-developed plant system. Plants such as Batu Na, Na Atamba, Beraliya, Walapiyenna, Yakahalu, Aridda, Liyan, Kurumbettiya, Thiniyadun, Bohora, Waldel, Katuboda, Batu Keena grow in this layer.
Sub canopy layer
It has a plant system that reduces the growth of sunlight into the earth. This sub-canopy layer consists of a plant system of 15 × 30 m in height and consists of plants such as Hadawaka, Malaboda, Kitul, Dawata, Panukera, Katumoda, Valukina, Valmora, Tittaveralu, Pathberiya and Diyana.
The canopy layer
This canopy layer is covered by a vegetation system of 5 × 15 m. Plants such as Madol, Kudumberiya, Bata, Bokara, Walbombu, Wanahalu, Valkopi, Atu Katiya, Galkanda, etc.
Under cultivation
Shrubs and Deer Plants can grow up to 5 m tall in the undergrowth or ground layer. This plant receives the least amount of sunlight. Plants such as wild boar, wild boar, dew, dewdrops, avocado, asparagus, betel and wild weeds can also be seen.
Sinharaja, a World Heritage Site
The Sinharaja Forest is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and is considered to be the heart of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity. This is one of the only remaining unripe rainforest systems in the world. The uninhabited ridge is also considered to be the last lowland tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka.
Legend has it that a lion who spread his dominance in the Sinharaja forest had caused great annoyance to the wild animals and the villagers of the area. It is also believed that this was the abode of a lion who is considered to be the founder of the Sinhala nation. Folklore also states that it was the dynasty of the Sinhalese or the royal forest of the Sinhala kings.
The Sinharaja Forest is an ecosystem spread over 11,187 hectares (23,000 acres) in the three districts of Galle, Matara and Ratnapura in the Wet Zone. Named as. But that nomination was rescinded in 1936. In 1975, the Sinharaja Forest was designated as a protected area under the Biosphere Reserve and in 1978 as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve. Sinharaja was declared a High Protected Forest by the Government of Sri Lanka in 1977 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1989.
Access roads
Access through Kudawa: Colombo -> Kalawana -> Kudawa
Colombo – Galle — Deniyaya – Mederipitiya —- Pitadeniya
