Sam Clark
Sinharaja Rainforest is one of the most popular attractions in the paradise island of Sri Lanka. This magnificent rainforest is home to a large number of animal and plant species. Sinharaja Rainforest is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It has also been designated a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The biodiversity of Sinharaja Rainforest is truly quite remarkable. This article provides some information about this rainforest which will interest those who desire to learn more about the animals and plants in Sri Lanka. This makes Sinharaja Rainforest a veritable treasure trove for those who are interested to learn more about biodiversity in Sri Lanka.
It is said that 95% of the endemic species of birds in the country will be found in Sinharaja Rainforest. The birds tend to move around in mixed breeding flocks too which enhance the appeal of a birding tour here immensely. Some of these mixed breeding flocks have around 48 species of birds! This is a common occurrence in rainforests across the world. The endemic species of birds that you will be able to spot in Sinharaja Rainforest include Red-Faced Malkoha, Sri Lankan Blue Magpie, Ashy-Headed Babbler as well as the White-Headed Starling. The Green Billed Coucal is known to be the rarest Sri Lankan bird. You will be able to spot this beautiful bird within the territories of Sinharaja Rainforest,
There are elephants in Sinharaja Rainforest but these are hard to spot. You will be able to come across sambar deer, mouse deer as well as barking deer as you traverse through the enchanting territories of Sinharaja Rainforest. Sri Lankan leopards are also exiting in the lush areas of the forest. Around 15 leopards have been counted but of course, these stealthy predators are quite hard to spot in Sinharaja Rainforest.
There are lots of reptiles as well as amphibians in this rainforest. The most common of these is the green garden lizard. The hard shelled terrapin is the only tortoise species which is recorded in Sinharaja Rainforest. The green pit viper as well as the hump nosed viper can also be seen in the Sinharaja Rainforest. These species are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Several projects which aim enhance biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka are being carried out in Sinharaja Rainforest.
The vegetation structure of Sinharaja Rainforest is quite complex. There are quite a number of layers in the rainforest. The trees that create the canopy reach heights of around 30 to 45 meters. There is a second layer of trees which are not so tall. The shrubs make up the third and final layer in the rainforest.
You can reach Sinharaja Rainforest from Colombo via Ratnapura, Kiriella, Kalawana and Weddala. If you want to reach the forest by air you will be able to do so as there are facilities for air travel within the country nowadays.
