Sinharaja Rain Forest

Vegetation

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.

Wildlife in Sinharaja

Preliminary 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. In fact 95%of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka are recorded in Sinharaja. Endemism among mammals and butterflies are also greater than 50%.

Out of the larger mammals, although elephants were said to be common in the past, there have not been reports of sightings during the last 15 years. However, there have been reports of sightings of a few animals in the Eastern Sector. The most common deer species is the sambhur. The mouse-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. Brown Mongoose and the golden-palm civet have been occasionally sighted. The most commonly seen primate is the purple-faced leaf monkey.

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 rainforests. A 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 babbler, 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 rarest 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 Lanka Reed frog are 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.

You should know

• Sinharaja rainforest is protected by Forest Ordinance and National Heritage Wilderness Area act.
• It is compulsory to obtain a permit issued by the Department of Forest Conservation and the assistance of an authorized guide to enter this reserve.
• Trespassing, collection of wild material, harming wildlife and animals, use of alcohol and drugs, disposal of various wastes, playing musical instruments, and making unnecessary noise are punishable offenses under Section 45 Authority 6 of the Forest Ordinance.
• Sinharaja rainforest is managed by the Department of Conservation under the terms of the Seven Nations World Heritage Site.