The Sinharaja rain forest is the only undisturbed rain forest left in sri lanka.It is about 9000 hectares in extent.Many of the plants are very rare.Over 60% of the tree species are found only in the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka.If these species of trees are allowed to get destroyed,the world would lose them altogether.So it is important that much effort is made to conserve this rich,valuble and fragile habitat.

The Sinharaja rain forest is the largest rainforest reserve in Sri Lanka.In 1840 Sinharaja became a crown property.in 1988 the Sinharaja was made a National Wilderness area.In 1989 UNESCO included the Sinharaja Forest in the World Heritage list,as the first National heritage of Sri Lanka.the Sinharaja forest is home to many rare animals,birds,butterflies,insects,reptiles, and trees.Ferns and mosses grow well as the climate is humid because of heavy rainfall.





THE VEGETATION

Vegetation means trees,shrubs,herbs and woody climbers.the average height of tree in the Sinharaja varies between 35 to 40 metres.Some trees are above 50 metres.



THE ANIMALS AND BIRDS

Sinharaja provides a habitat for animals.The plants provides them with food.There are large mammals as well as small ones living there.The purple faced monkeys can be observed easily.They move about in groups.There are herbivores.carnivores, as well as mixed feeders.The wild pig,sambure,mouse-deer and the barking deer are some that you find in the Sinharaja.There is also evidence of the presence of the leopard.Among others are the rusty spotted cat and fishing cat.There are many other varieties of small mammals.
studies have recorded 147 species of birds.Some threatend species of birds are found in sinharaja.Among them are the blue magpie,the white headed starling and the ash headed babbler.




REPTILES

Studies have recoreded 45 varieties of reptiles.These include snakes,lizards, and tortoisee.The viper and the cobra are among the venomous species.Conservation of Sinharaja is vital necessity.It ensures the maintenancr of
water resources.It also control floods,which is a constant threat due to heavy rainfall in the area