SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST

SINHARAJA (Vergin rain forest of Srilanka)

Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forest in srilanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west. The length of the forest is about 21km and width from north to south is about 3.7km. It was declared a man and biosphere reserve (MAB) in 1978, as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest eco system in srilanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of it’s international network of biosphere reserves. It was declared a national wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989. it is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of the country in the districts of ratnapura, galle and matara. The average annual temperature of sinharaja is 23.6 c. annual  rainfall is more than 2500mm. the rain fall is well distributed during two monsoons, may to July and October to December.

                              Flora of sinharaja

 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 abundance of regeneration and the diversity of species.  Average height of the trees varies between 35m- 40m. some individuals rise even up to 50m. the vegetation of sinharaja is that of humid wet evergreen forest type with a high degree of endemism. In fact some families such as dipterocarpaceae show an endemism more than 90%. The untapped genetic potential of sinharaja flora is enormous.