Sinharaja rain forest is the highest bio diversity forest in Sri Lanka. Sinharaja was designated as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its high bio diversity. Therefore, Sinharaja is an internationally recognized bio diversity hotspot.
Sinharaja forest is located in Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces. The total area of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is about 7,500 hectares (18,750 acres). It ranges in altitude from 300m to 1,100m. the annual rain fall is about 3500 mm to 4500 mm and mean temperature is 20 to 33 Celsius.
Importance / Speciality of Sinharaja
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest.
In Sinharaja, more than 50% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered as rare.
The entire reserve is an ecological hotspot, containing on more than 700 species of endemic flora and fauna, including numerous rare species of trees, bird life, reptiles and insects.
One of the few virgin forests left in the world. Streams, springs, rivers, waterfalls, mammals, birds, fish, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs can be found within its green canopy.
Visiting Sinharaja Rain Forest
There are main 02 routes to visit Sinharaja
1. From Kalawana – Weddagala (in Sabaragamuwa province)
2. From Neluwa / Deniyaya – Pitadeniya (in Southern Province)
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