Sinharaja | Sri Lanka’s only remaining undisturbed rainforest

The importance of Rain Forest

Tropical rainforests are primarily found near the equator because the temperature surrounding the equator is high. As a result, the rate of evaporation is great and rainforests experience a lot of rain.  Rainforests can be found in South America, Central America and the island of Asia and Australia. Humans are dependent on rainforests for their survival and the environment is partly founded on rainforests. 

These areas are abundant in medicinal plants, food and forest goods. Rainforests protect 50 percent of the world’s flora, animals, birds, reptiles and insect species. Also it helps to maintain the regular rainfall. They also act as a deterrent to flooding, drought and erosion. It is responsible for a considerable portion of the world’s oxygen supply.

Sinharaja Rainforest

The Sinharaja is centrally located between the districts of Galle, Matara, Ratnapura and Kalutara known as south-west lowland wet zone. In addition, it is a popular tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. This is Sri Lanka’s only remaining undisturbed rainforest. Now it covers an area of 11187 hectares. It used to be 9000 hectares. 

The forest stretches approximately 21 kilometers between its Western and Eastern ends, and approximately 7 kilometers between its Southern and Northern ends. Rathnapura district contains 60% of the forest area.

Natural boundaries of Sinharaja

From the north end there is a waterway called, ‘Nakola Dola’ and a river known as ‘Kosgulana’. From the south end, there is a waterway known as ‘Mahadola’ and a river called ‘Gin Ganga’. A canal known as ‘Kalukandaawa’ and a river known as ‘Pitakele’ can be found at the Western end. And the Morning side state is located in the eastern end of Sinharaja.

There rainforest can be accessed in three ways. 

1) From the ‘Kudawa’ path, which runs between Rathnapura and Weddagala road through Kalawana.

2) From the Morningside path, which runs between Rakwana and Sooriyakanda.

3) From Deniyaya, take the Pitadeniya path.

What is the Annual Rainfall of Sinharaja?

The annual rainfall ranges between 3000 and 6000 millimeters. The rainforest has an average temperature of 19 to 25 degrees Celsius.

What are the waterways originated from Sinharaja?

From this stage, many waterways emerge. One of them is Gin Ganga’ River, which has an estuary in Galle. The rivers that originate in the south part of the forest are connected to the Gin Ganga. Simultaneously rivers originate in northern part of the forest, such as the aqueducts known as the ‘Kosgulana’, ‘Kudawa’ and ‘Pitakele’ are connected to the river known as ‘Kalu Ganga’ which is an estuary from Kalutara in Kalutara District. 

Sinharaja Rainforest is Sri Lanka’s largest rainforest reserve. In addition it serves as a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. This became a crown Property in 1840. The Sinharaja was designated as a national wilderness area in 1988. And added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1989 as the first National Heritage of Sri Lanka. 

Many rare species, birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles and trees can be found in here. Since the climate is hot due to heavy rainfall, ferns and mosses thrive. Also the Sinharaja’s conversation is extremely important. It ensures that water supplies are protected. It also prevents floods, which are a constant threat in the region due to heavy rainfall. 

The Vegetation   

Several of the plants are extremely rare. In Sri Lanka, over 60% of tree species are only present in the lowland wet zone. Sinharaja is home to at least 139 endemic plant species. Among them, 16 species on the site are designated as rare.   

Trees, shrubs, herbs and woody climbers all fall under the category of vegetation. The average height of trees in the Sinharaja varies between 35 to 40 meters. However some reach higher than 50 meters. If these tree species are allowed to perish, the entire world will perish with them. As a result, it is critical that significant efforts be made to protect this diverse, valuable and vulnerable ecosystem.  

The animals, fish and the birds

Animals can find a home in Sinharaja. 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s endemic animal species can be found here. They get their food from seeds. There are also large and small mammals living here. The purple faced monkeys are clearly visible. They travel in small groups around the forest. Herbivores, carnivores and mixed feeders are among the different types of animals. The Sinharaja is home to a variety of animals like wild pig, sambur and mouse-deer and barking-deer. As per the evidence, the leopard has also been seen here. Among others are the rusty spotted cat and the fishing cat. Small mammals come with a wide range of species.

A total of 147 species of birds have been identified through research. Some endangered species of birds are found in the Sinharaja. Additionally, In Sri Lanka, there are 33 species of native birds. Among them, 25 birds can be seen in Sinharaja. Blue magpie, the white-headed starling and the ash-headed babblers are only a few of them. Sinharaja rainforest is home to three species of freshwater Sri Lankan indigenous fish. 

There are several Elephant herds walking in the Eastern part of the park. Leopards and elephants can also be found here, but unfortunately both of which are endangered species. 

Reptiles  

According to research, there are 45 different types of reptiles. Snakes, lizards and tortoises are among them. Venomous species include the viper and the cobra. 

Waterfalls in Sinharaja   

Several waterfalls can be found here. They include the waterfalls of Brahmana, Uran Wetunu, Gal Oruwa, Thattu, Kekuna, Pathan, Malmora and Duvili.

Village People 

In Sinharaja, there are 22 villages. Plantations are the primary source of income in the villages. The Tea, particularly. Furthermore, pure water from hundreds of streams is the primary source of water for everyone living in the reserve’s neighborhood. 

Surrounding Facilities

The Divisional Forest Officer of the Forest Department is in-charge of this land. In terms of tourist amenities, Kudawa in Weddagala village has resorts for them. The circuit bungalow on the Morning side and holiday resorts in Pitadeniya in Deniyaya also cater to the requirements.

Legendaries

According to Sri Lankan legends, this forest once housed a lion. The ‘Lion’ is referred to as ‘Sinha’ in Sinhalese. This is why the forest is called ‘Sinharajaya’. There was a stranger named ‘Lankaanaatha’, who killed the lion because of the village’s persecution. The village where that person lived was called ‘Lankagama’. Still we can see that village in the area. According to historical evidence, a road leading from Galle to Sripadasthaanaya (Adam’s peak) passed through the Sinharaja Rain forest.