Declared a world heritage site owing to its high biodiversity, the Sinharaja forest is one of the most well-known natural reserves in the country. A large population of the plant and bird species found here are endemic to the country and some to the forest itself. This thick forest is situated in the Sabaragamuwa Province in the south west wet zone of Sri Lanka.
There are several rivers that surround the forest such as the Kudawa Ganga and Maha Dola. The forest sees regular rainfall during the south west monsoons and the north east monsoons. February is generally a dry month. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has found that Sinharaja is the last extensive primary lowland tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka.
Although the number of elephants have diminished in the area there are several other large mammals such as the leopard, fishing cat and the barking deer found here. However, the leopard is a rare sight. Over 147 species of birds have been recorded here, including the endemic ones such as the Ceylon jungle fowl the grey hornbill and the rufus babbler. The vegetation structure is complex. Although it seems chaotic at the beginning a closer look reveals the different categories of life. The canopies reach a height of about 30 – 45 meters. You would see varying types of bird families on the canopies, sub canopies, the undergrowth and the forest floor. If spotting endless varieties of fish, amphibians and reptiles interest you, head over to the green wonderland and say hello to untouched natural splendour. There are major administrative constrains in governing these valuable forests, which have delayed the process for a suitable protection plan for Sinharaja.
It’s a great idea to plan your tour to Sri Lanka early to allow plenty of time to explore these beautiful forests and reserves. For dream tours to Sri Lanka book your next tour with Sri Lankan Dreams. These Sri Lanka tour packages will let you experience everything from culture, to nature and shopping to breathtaking sceneries around the island while you explore this amazing country.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+
