Sinharaja Rain Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the last viable remnant of Sri Lanka's tropical lowland rainforest, spanning an area of 18,900 acres. It is located in the Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces of the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. Sinharaja is bordered by rivers on three sides: the Napola Dola and Koskulana Ganga to the north, the Maha Dola and Gin Ganga to the south and south-west, and the Kalukandawa Ela and Kudawa Ganga to the west. To the east, it is bordered by an ancient footpath near Beverley Tea Estate and Denuwa Kanda.
Reaching Sinharaja Rain Forest
From the northern or western parts of the country, you can reach Sinharaja Forest Reserve via Ratnapura, Kiriella, Kalawana, and Weddala. From the south, you can enter Sinharaja Rain Forest from Deniyaya. From Hambantota and Udawalawe, you can enter Sinharaja from the Rakwana side.
Area of Sinharaja Rain Forest
The total area of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is 18,900 acres (7,648 hectares). It ranges in altitude from 300m to 1,170m.
Significance of Sinharaja Forest
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many species of insects, reptiles, and rare amphibians.
Establishment of Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Most of Sinharaja Forest was originally declared a forest reserve under the Waste Lands Ordinance in 1875. In 1978, Sinharaja Rain Forest was included in the international network of biosphere reserves as part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. In October 1988, the reserve, along with a northeastern extension, was declared Sri Lanka's first National Wilderness Heritage Area. In December 1988, the Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve became Sri Lanka's first natural site to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Climate on Sinharaja Rain Forest
Meteorological records from the past 60 years show that the annual rainfall in Sinharaja Forest ranges from 3,614mm to 5,006mm, with temperatures between 19°C and 34°C. The highest rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon (May–July) and the northeast monsoon (November–January).
Physical Features
Sinharaja Rain Forest is a narrow strip of undulating terrain consisting of a series of ridges and valleys, drained by an intricate network of streams that flow into the Gin Ganga on the southern boundary and Kalu Ganga on the northern boundary, via the Napola Dola, Koskulana Ganga, and Kudawa Ganga.
Nature Trails of Sinharaja Rain Forest
The two main nature trails of Sinharaja Rain Forest lead to the peaks of Moulawella and Sinhagala. Both trails, starting at the Kudawa Conservation Centre (KCC), are equally enjoyable and enlightening. The forest is densely populated with tall trees, but winding trails make for a pleasant trek. Small streams of crystal-clear water, home to a variety of fish, toads, and crabs, cross the trails. Mixed species of birds can be seen in the canopy above.
Sinhagala Nature Trail
Trail head: Entrance to the protected area, Kudawa Conservation Centre, Weddagala, Kalawana
Trail end: Sinhagala Peak
Length of the trail: 2.4 km
Elevation gain: 300m (Trail Head: 473m, Trail End: 773m)
Approximate time: 5-7 hours
Hiking season: Best months are December to April
Mulawella Nature Trail
Trail head: Entrance to the protected area, Kudawa Conservation Centre, Weddagala, Kalawana
Trail end: Mulawella Peak
Length of the trail: 2.4 km
Elevation gain: 457m (Trail Head: 301m, Trail End: 758m)
Approximate time: 1-2 hours
Hiking season: Best months are December to April
Birdlife in Sinharaja Rain Forest
Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to numerous indigenous birds, such as the Ceylon Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus), the Ceylon Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), the Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush (Garrulax cinereifrons), Layard's Parakeet (Psittacula calthripae), the Jungle Fowl (Gallus lafayetii), the Spur Fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata), the Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Columba torringtonii), the Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillum), the Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus), and the Ceylon Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata), among others.
Nineteen of Sri Lanka's 20 endemic bird species are found in the Sinharaja Reserve. Among the endangered birds are the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Green-Billed Coucal, Sri Lankan White-headed Starling, Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal, Sri Lanka Spur Fowl, Sri Lankan Blue Magpie, and Ashy-headed Babbler, all of which are endemic.
Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Butterflies
Out of the 12 endemic mammal species in the country, 8 are found here. The Giant Squirrel, Dusky-stripped Jungle Squirrel, Badger Mongoose, Endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, and Torque Macaque are frequently seen.
Many threatened species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies are found in the Reserve, including the Leopard. Endemism among mammals and butterflies is greater than 50%. Reptiles and amphibians include the Python, Endemic Green Pit Viper, Endemic Hump-nosed Lizard (Lyriocephalus scutatus), and Rough-nose Horned Lizard (Ceratophora aspera).
Conservation Value of Sinharaja
Sinharaja is the last extensive primary lowland tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka. It holds a large number of endemic plant and animal species, with over 60% of the trees being endemic. Many of these are rare. The forest reserve is home to 21 endemic bird species, and a number of rare insects, reptiles, and amphibians (IUCN Technical Evaluation).
The long-term success of conserving Sinharaja depends on the sustainable development of its buffer and peripheral zones through a participatory approach that emphasizes the involvement of local people. The construction of hotels and roads in the peripheral zones is likely to result in irrecoverable damage to this World Heritage Site.
Entrances to Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Kurulugala Entrance
This entrance is located about 12.8 km from the center of Deniyaya. You can walk along different trails. This is one of the ideal places in Sinharaja for birdwatching and butterfly watching due to the average elevation of about 1000m and the nearby Rakwana mountains. The entrance offers views of fascinating waterfalls, the Southern plains, and the Kurulugala mountain peak. It is the newest entrance in the Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve.
Sinharaja Forest Pitadeniya Entrance
This entrance is about 15 km from Deniyaya. The main attractions here include Kekuna Ella waterfall, Pathan Oya waterfall, and the hanging bridge in the Pitadeniya Conservation Center. This entrance has been one of the most active over the years.
Sinharaja Forest Lankagama Entrance
This entrance is about 18.5 km from Deniyaya. It provides access to six waterfalls in a short period of time. This entrance is particularly popular among local tourists. A road to Lions Rock from Lankagama was recently constructed.
Sinharaja Forest Morningside Entrance
This entrance is about 40 km from Deniyaya.
Sinharaja Forest Kudawa Entrance
This entrance is about 95 km from Deniyaya.
