SINHARAJA FOREST
Sinharaja, it is spread across the Rathnapura , Galle and Matara districts in the interior wet zone of the south west of the Sri lanka. Wich is 11 250 hectares in total area , in the last rainforest crown of the country. The prehistoric Sinharaja covers 8 900 heaters of breathtakingly beautiful, continuous forest .
Beautiful streams,springs,rivers,waterfalls,leopards, monkeys, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs are all found within its green canopy. A trek along the paths of Sinharaja would provide nature enthusiasts a never to be forgotten experience of sights, sounds and feelings. Due to its high bio-diversity and ecological importance, it has been declared as a national heritage wilderness area and is the only natural world heritage site in the country.(UNESCO)
Sinharaja is one of the few untouched forest left in the world. The forest has a series of mountains and edges rising rapidly from 90m to 1 170 m above mean sea level. The Sinharaja forest belongs to the middle range uplands by elevation range. It ranges from 270m to 1 060m in hight with slopes ranging from 100m to 350m . the sinharaja forest is located on the Rakwana mountain rang wich lies separately from the main central mountain ranges of the island.
Sinharaja is Sri Lanka’s most important rain forest . The forest has tall trees growing close to each other, but winding paths make it easy to walk along the forest floor. It is inhabited by water monitors ,torque macaques,leopards,gaint squirrels,purple-faced leaf, monkeys and leeches.birdlife includes Ceylon spurfowl,Ceylon junglefowl, Ceylon wood pigeon, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, Layard’s parakeet,Red- faced malkoha,Green-Billed coucal,chestnut –backed owlet,Ceylon grey hornbill, Yellow fronted barbet,Ceylon small barbet,Black – capped bulbul,spotted –winged thrush,Brown – capped babbler,Orange – billed babbler,ashyheaded laughing thrush, Ceylon blue magpie, Ceylon white-headed starling, Ceylon hill myna,Malabar trogon,black bulbul,Indian Scimitar babbler, greater racket –tailed drongo,green imperial pigeon,velvetfronted nuthatch and yellow-browned bulbul.
Most of its plants have a wide distribution and high species endemism.over 60% of the country’s endemic plant species can be found within the boundaries of Sinharaja. The forest is multi-layeard,wich is characteristic of a rain forest, and the Mesua-Shorea community and Dipteracarpus community dominate the vegetation . the forest also shelters many varieties of wild orchids, epiphytes and lianas as well .
The highest faunal diversity of the country is found in the Sinharaja. Out of the 12 endemic mammal species of the country, eight are found here. Giant squirrel,duskystripd jungle squirrel,endemic purple-faced leaf monkey and torque macaque are frequently seen. Almost 95 per cent of the country’s endemic birds are found here including rare red-faced malkoha, green-billed caucal , blue magpie and Sri lanka surfowl.
Diversity among the reptiles and amphibians is remarkably high. The endemic green pit viper endemic hump-nosed lizard and horned lizard are common here.
Small tributaries (smaller streams running in to a river)and river s of the forest support fish such as striped rasbora, walking catfish and endemic comb tail. Apart from its ecological and biodiversity value ,its scenic beauty is also invaluable.
The largest known tree of the country , which is an endemic tree, is found in the Sinharaja. The insect –eating pitcher plant is frequently seen here. This magnicificent rainforest is also home to a large number of butterflies. Inside the forest is dark even during the daytime due to the close canopy above, and one can hear the voice of cicadas and frogs almost all the time.
Small streams found with in the forest contain crystal clearly cool water and one can clearly see the fish, toada and crabs swimming in it.
Another characteristic feature of Sinharaja is the mixed species flock formation of its birds. The number of species in a flck can go up to about at times. If you are lucky enough , you can experience the tropical monsoon inside the forest , which will be an unforgettable experience.
The Sinharaja receives a rainfall ranging from 3000mm to 6000mm , and even the driest season records a surprisingly considerable amount of rainfall.
(Facts : books and papers )
Sinharaja, it is spread across the Rathnapura , Galle and Matara districts in the interior wet zone of the south west of the Sri lanka. Wich is 11 250 hectares in total area , in the last rainforest crown of the country. The prehistoric Sinharaja covers 8 900 heaters of breathtakingly beautiful, continuous forest .
Beautiful streams,springs,rivers,waterfalls,leopards, monkeys, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs are all found within its green canopy. A trek along the paths of Sinharaja would provide nature enthusiasts a never to be forgotten experience of sights, sounds and feelings. Due to its high bio-diversity and ecological importance, it has been declared as a national heritage wilderness area and is the only natural world heritage site in the country.(UNESCO)
Sinharaja is one of the few untouched forest left in the world. The forest has a series of mountains and edges rising rapidly from 90m to 1 170 m above mean sea level. The Sinharaja forest belongs to the middle range uplands by elevation range. It ranges from 270m to 1 060m in hight with slopes ranging from 100m to 350m . the sinharaja forest is located on the Rakwana mountain rang wich lies separately from the main central mountain ranges of the island.
Sinharaja is Sri Lanka’s most important rain forest . The forest has tall trees growing close to each other, but winding paths make it easy to walk along the forest floor. It is inhabited by water monitors ,torque macaques,leopards,gaint squirrels,purple-faced leaf, monkeys and leeches.birdlife includes Ceylon spurfowl,Ceylon junglefowl, Ceylon wood pigeon, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, Layard’s parakeet,Red- faced malkoha,Green-Billed coucal,chestnut –backed owlet,Ceylon grey hornbill, Yellow fronted barbet,Ceylon small barbet,Black – capped bulbul,spotted –winged thrush,Brown – capped babbler,Orange – billed babbler,ashyheaded laughing thrush, Ceylon blue magpie, Ceylon white-headed starling, Ceylon hill myna,Malabar trogon,black bulbul,Indian Scimitar babbler, greater racket –tailed drongo,green imperial pigeon,velvetfronted nuthatch and yellow-browned bulbul.
Most of its plants have a wide distribution and high species endemism.over 60% of the country’s endemic plant species can be found within the boundaries of Sinharaja. The forest is multi-layeard,wich is characteristic of a rain forest, and the Mesua-Shorea community and Dipteracarpus community dominate the vegetation . the forest also shelters many varieties of wild orchids, epiphytes and lianas as well .
The highest faunal diversity of the country is found in the Sinharaja. Out of the 12 endemic mammal species of the country, eight are found here. Giant squirrel,duskystripd jungle squirrel,endemic purple-faced leaf monkey and torque macaque are frequently seen. Almost 95 per cent of the country’s endemic birds are found here including rare red-faced malkoha, green-billed caucal , blue magpie and Sri lanka surfowl.
Diversity among the reptiles and amphibians is remarkably high. The endemic green pit viper endemic hump-nosed lizard and horned lizard are common here.
Small tributaries (smaller streams running in to a river)and river s of the forest support fish such as striped rasbora, walking catfish and endemic comb tail. Apart from its ecological and biodiversity value ,its scenic beauty is also invaluable.
The largest known tree of the country , which is an endemic tree, is found in the Sinharaja. The insect –eating pitcher plant is frequently seen here. This magnicificent rainforest is also home to a large number of butterflies. Inside the forest is dark even during the daytime due to the close canopy above, and one can hear the voice of cicadas and frogs almost all the time.
Small streams found with in the forest contain crystal clearly cool water and one can clearly see the fish, toada and crabs swimming in it.
Another characteristic feature of Sinharaja is the mixed species flock formation of its birds. The number of species in a flck can go up to about at times. If you are lucky enough , you can experience the tropical monsoon inside the forest , which will be an unforgettable experience.
The Sinharaja receives a rainfall ranging from 3000mm to 6000mm , and even the driest season records a surprisingly considerable amount of rainfall.
(Facts : books and papers )
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