Rainforests
Amazingly, more than half of all plant and animal species on Earth reside in rainforests, which occupy only 6% of the planet’s surface. They are referred to be rainforests because they see a lot of rainfall each year. A rainforest has a hot, humid atmosphere and is made up of towering, thick foliage. In Sri Lanka, woods formerly covered about 26% of the territory, but they now barely cover 2% of the country. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Sinharaja has been classified as a World Heritage site and that all rainforests on the island have been declared protected areas. The designation of “World Heritage Site” is given by UNESCO and denotes that the region has been recognized as having extraordinary value to the collective human heritage.
Therefore, preserving and safeguarding such landmarks is in the best interests of humanity. Sri Lanka’s rainforests are a veritable treasure trove of natural beauty and variety. The western and southern slopes of Sri Lanka’s highlands are home to the majority of the island’s rainforests, which are well worth seeing. Peak Wilderness, Knuckles, and the Sinharaja World Heritage Site, each covering 250 sqkm, 175 sqkm, and 90 sqkm, respectively, are Sri Lanka’s three most well-known rainforests. These jungles are home to the elusive loris, the stately elephant, and the fierce-eyed leopard.
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary
The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, the third-largest nature reserve in Sri Lanka, is a tropical rainforest that gets its name from the nearby Adams Peak, Horton Plains, Pidhurutalagala, and Hakgala. The Adenomus kandianus, the world’s rarest toad, which had been assumed to be extinct for 133 years, was rediscovered in this jungle in 2009.
Knuckles
Kandy and Matale are part of the Knuckles Mountain range, which is divided from the Central Hills to the south and east by the Mahaveli Valley and the Matale Valley, respectively. Because of how the mountain range resembles a clinched fist, it was given the name Knuckles. Its beautiful water, cloud forests, and distinctive flora and wildlife are what give it its significance.
Sinharaja World Heritage
The Sinharaja rainforest, a national park and hub for biodiversity in Sri Lanka, has been recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This reserve is a treasure trove of indigenous species, including reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, and plants. It is a portion of Sri Lanka’s lowland rainforests. With their extraordinary collection of flora and animals, these majestic woodlands are tough to leave behind. It is crucial that you go on a forest trip through these magnificent rainforests in Sri Lanka if you want to fully appreciate the country’s breathtaking natural splendor.