Exploring the Biodiversity of Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a true paradise with magical atmospheric conditions for all visitors. Sri Lanka can be regarded as one of the best tourist destinations for nature lovers. There is a great undertaking to protect nature and the wildlife.

There are so many ways to embrace Sri Lanka’s wildlife such as visiting national parks, hiking, and wild adventures. Bird watching is another enjoyment of wildlife. What if a person can experience all these in one place?

Explore Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve Sri Lanka

Sinharaja forest is one of the major treasures in Sri Lanka. It was declared as a world heritage in 1988 by UNESCO. Sinharaja is a tropical rainforest located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. This forest covers an area of about 11,187 hectares.

Multiple Entries

There are multiple entrances to this rainforest. One can enter the Sinharaja rainforest either from Kudawa via Kalawana in Rathnapura District or via Deniyaya at Beverly State.

And for the accommodations, there are so many hotels in Rathnapura. It is a rainforest that is home to,

• 139 endemic plant varieties,

• 19 species of fish,

• 33 amphibians,

• 26 endemic birds and etc.

Access to Sinharaja

Pitadeniya Natural Trail –

Pitadeniya is located in the Southern part of Sinharaja and can be reached via Galle – Deniyaya road then passing a by-road leading to Pallegama Junction.

The road is motorable up to Mediripitiya village. The adventurous walk commences from Mediripitiya village.

At the beginning, the path moves along a small bridge over Maha Oya which is a major tributary to Gin Ganga.

It is also a good location for butterfly watching and for dragonflies.

By walking along a footpath about 1.5 km the Forest Department checkpoint is found. This is the entry point to the Sinharaja World Heritage site.

The stream over there reveals the rich diversity of fauna including fish and amphibians. The tree trunks along this path are common habitats for endemic Lizards such as Hump Nosed Lizards basking in the sun.

Passing these magnificent beauties you may come across fair-growth bamboo trees and see camouflaged reptiles called Green Pit Viper.

These rocky pools provide favorable habitats for aquatic and semi-aquatic fauna. Then meet the difficult part of the adventurous walk.

The steep climb will lead to an observation point and care should be taken to avoid sudden falls. The vegetation comprises canopy trees and emergents which is a prominent characteristic in a rainforest.

Further head, along a footpath, leads to another observation point which is rich in mixed-species bird flocks.

Walking along the descending path will lead to the stream where will see the Pathan Oya Falls.

It is a very scenic location where one can relax and enjoy the marvelous nature.

Shallow natural rock pools full of fish species are an ideal place for snorkeling.

The descending path from the waterfall moves along very steep terrain. There you may find “Puswal – the giant liana”.

Next is the last observation that reveals Kakuna Falls. These streams are ideal locations to observe aquatic life. Getting back on the track and walking along the footpath will lead to the starting point Pathan Oya Ella.

A Guide to wildlife spotting in the Rainforest

Hiking rainforest is definitely an exciting and memorable experience. It is a must to respect the wildlife and not leave food for them.

It is important to be well-prepared to ensure the safety of the journey. Be wise enough to pay attention to the following when you are looking for an adventure walk.

1. Start the adventure early

2. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather where rain can be frequent

3. Be prepared for external parasites

4. Camping – overnight camping allows you to experience the sounds of the rainforest

5. Wear dull-colored comfortable clothes with food and drinks

6. Research the plan

7. Take important gears

8. Be aware of the wildlife and respect the environment

9. Before starting the walk, hire a proper guide. Then it will be helpful for you to get a sound knowledge about the jungle and its inhabitants.

Biodiversity of Sinharaja

Flora and Fauna

If you are lucky you can get rare spots on the endemic birds, mammals, and giant squirrels. The most common deer species we can see here is “Sambhur”.

Sinharaja is also well known for butterflies too. Over 120 species of butterflies are found here.

When taking fauna and flora, 60 % of trees are endemic to Sri Lanka. Some are considered more than 100 year old. The forest is a mother of several,

• medicinal plants,

• orchids,

• and ebony

The average height of the trees here is between 35-40m.

On the other hand, you can leave your footprint by taking a relax near the streams and waterfalls that flow through the forest.

In Sinharaja rainforest fauna and flora are the main living beings.

In biodiversity of the forest, it has four main layers.

Forest Stratification

• Canopy – The canopy layer consists of taller trees about 30-40 m in height. They obtain sunlight easily. So they can grow well with 12/16 feet diameters.

• Sub canopy – It avoids the sunlight to the beneath about 25-30 m height trees are grown. Treetops are connected together and make a net.

• Understorey – It is found below the sublayer and grows some trees not to exceed 20 m in height.

• Ground flora- This is the lowest layer. Sunlight is hardly fallen on the ground and grows some bushes and ferns. The light that falls inside is 1% of the light that falls outside of the forest.

Canopy gets the most sunlight and the ground flora gets the fewest. So the forest is thick in darkness in the daytime as well.

Climate and the people near the Rainforest

This rainforest is situated in lowland wet zones. The average temperature of Sinharaja is 23°c.

It receives more than 2500 mm of rainfall annually. There are two monsoon periods May- July and October – December.

It is advisable to make your journey avoiding these rainy seasons.

Sinharaja rainforest is located between 300-1150 m in height. It is understood that the fertility of its soil is due to the dampness prevailing throughout the year.

On the way to Sinharaja, we met 22 villages with a population of about 5000 people.

There are only two villages located within the server. Those are Warukandeniya and Kolonthotuwa.

There are caves and peaks inside the rainforest. The highest peak is the Kodimale. People who live in neighboring villages lead a poor lifestyle. Especially they are tapping toddy and making honey and jaggery out of Kithul.

Adventure walk through the Sinharaja

When talking about canopy walks it is a unique way to experience the forest. From the beginning walk, lush greenery and the sound of birds and animals surrounded by. With an experienced guide, we can learn about the ecosystem.

As we attempt deeper into the forest we can see crystal clear water streams and rivers. And also my great botheration is the leeches found there.

Some precautions that can be taken to avoid them like applying some ointments. Neluwa Duwili Ella Fall is a very eye-catching event on the border of Sinharaja.

The cascading waterfall that flows through a series of rock layers breaks down the entire mass of water into minute particles resulting in a spray of mist which has given rise to the naming of that fall.

And also Kosmulla Nature Trail commences at the turn-off to the Sinharaja tea factory. The total distance of the trail is around 10 km. The path is especially to facilitate the visitors to reach the observation point of Duwili Ella Fall.

Sinharaja can be named a biodiversity hotspot. With the stunning beauty of this rainforest, I think it is a must-visit adventurous destination for all nature lovers. Finally, the conservation of this national heritage is our prime duty for the next generation.