Wildlife of Sri Lanka


Though Sri Lanka is very small in land area, the great diversity in habitats harbors are a rich and diverse fauna and flora, with many species endemic to the island. Historically as well as in the modern era, successive rulers and governments of Sri Lanka have strived to provide sanctuary and protection to our beautiful wildlife. Today the demands and aspirations of an expanding human population makes it difficult for the government to be solely responsible for the protection, preservation and management of this beguiled wild heritage of ours. Today, especially where human interest and wildlife interest are in direct conflict. It is imperative that private organizations with resources step into and fill the areas that need immediate attention: environmental education, long term research, and to develop integrated projects for community based conservation.
 

	Of the four species of wild cats found in Sri Lanka, the leopard is the largest. No information exists for all the species of cats in regard to their population, distribution and status. There is also small scale poaching of all the species of cats for their skins, teeth and meat.
The sloth bear is the only species of bear found in Sri Lanka, further research is needed to find out more about its ecology, distribution and status.
	Of the five species of deer found in Sri Lanka, the spotted deer and its cousin, the sambar, have the largest distribution. Though there are still large populations of spotted deer in some areas, all five species of deer are relentlessly poached for venison. Studies to ascertain their ecology, distribution and status are urgently needed.
Sri Lanka has more than 400 species of birds consisting of residents, visitors and migrants. Of this 26 species are endemic to the island. Large and small scale clearing of jungles and forests, causes local extinctions of the more specialized species, and threatens the survival of others. It is imperative to establish regional and urban wildlife sanctuaries for their long term survival.
	The inland waters of Sri Lanka have more than 60 species of fresh water fish of which over 24 species are only found in Sri Lanka. Closer to a 1,000 species of fish are found in the coastal waters surrounding the island. Domestic and industrial affluents and pollutants discharged into rivers and other waterways are a threat to the survival of these fresh water and coastal fishes, and other marine ecosystems such as coral reefs.
The territorial waters of the Indian Ocean is also home to a rich and varied marine life. Five species of sea turtles and 25 species of whales and dolphins inhabit these coastal waters.
	Present research has found over 250 species of frogs in Sri Lanka, a density of 3.7 species per square kilometer. This is well ahead of the former record of Costa Rica's 2.8 species per square kilometer
The cobra is one of the most well known snakes of the over 90 species of snakes found in Sri Lanka. There are also many species of lizards, two species of crocodiles and monitors, two species of aquatic turtles and one species of tortoise found in the island.
	Of the diverse and amazing array of  invertebrates found in Sri Lanka, there are over 240 species of butterflies, of which 14 species are endemic.
Sri Lanka also has a wealth of plant life of which a majority are endemic to the island. Many species of colorful and rare orchids, ferns, ayurvedic herbs and plants, large trees, bromeliads and epiphytes creates colorful, exotic and rich habitats for other animal life, and a salubrious environment for humans.

Hands-off Sinharaja


Born to the serene beauty of Sinharaja Forest Reserve, villagers of the neighbouring hamlets live in extreme poverty. They depend on earnings from wild cardamoms, herbs and seasonal crops. For centuries they continued to co-exist peacefully with the forest, despite the toughness. Walking miles through hard jungle paths, their bare feet crack and peel as they peddle their meagre wares at a nearby pola.

But their livelihood and the Sinharaja Forest, which sheltered them all these years, now a World Heritage Site for its unique bio-diversity, is under severe threat today, in the hands of short sighted 'greedy' businessmen and bureaucrats.

The Sinharaja Forest, the only evergreen rain forest in Sri Lanka which belongs to few remaining virgin forests in the world, is home to hundreds of indigenous flora and many kinds of birds, beasts and reptiles.

The Sinhajara forest, 11,187 hectares in all was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MBR) in 1978 and it became a National Heritage Wilderness Area under the National Heritage Wilderness Area Act in 1988. This virgin forest was named World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1989.

With the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the first conservation plan for Sinharaja forest and its buffer zones was introduced in 1986. Sinharaja forest is the home for many indigenous fauna and flora.

Scientists were recently able to find 'Lindasea repens', 'Techtaria thwaitesii' and 'Glycosmis cyanocarpa'- plants, which were reported to be extinct from the forest. Most plants are endemic. The National Conservation Review (NCR) which was carried out from 1991 to 1996 identified 340 species of higher (woody) plants from the Sinharaja forest. Of these, 192 are endemic and 116 globally threatened.

The forest is also home to the mouse deer, barking deer, otter, fishing cat, giant squirrel, black monkey and leopard. It hosts 08 of the 12 endemic species of mammal, 18 species of endemic birds and 21 of reptiles.

Unfortunately, this unspoilt unique forest has become the latest victim of 'eco-friendly' projects aimed at luring more tourists to the country. Environmentalists, nature lovers and villagers protest against any kind of 'development' projects that come in guise to 'protect and conserve' the virgin forest. But their protests and grievances are never heard by the relevant authorities and today exploitation goes on at a rapid rate.

The Sinharaja forest reserve is offered protection through National Environment Act, Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. As the Sinharaja Forest comes under the National Heritage Wilderness Area Act, the Forest Department, as the competent authority, is vested with powers to protect this virgin forest. However outdated laws, which safeguard the country's environment, have made it easy for profit-minded money makers to initiate any project according to their desire without an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). Most lands with significant ecological value are already on the verge of destruction. Amidst strong opposition of environmentalists against such moves, influential businessmen go ahead with the destruction.

Charmini Kodituwakku, the Environmental Officer of the Environmental Foundation Ltd says that it is illegal according to the National Environmental Act of 1980 and Act No. 56 of 1988 to clear more than one hectare of forest cover without an EIA report. "Especially, it is illegal to have projects that clear the Sinharaja forest cover", she said.

Nearly 22 villages are situated around the forest and the two villages, Warukandeniya and Kollonthotuwa, are inside the forest. The villagers, who depend mainly on agriculture strongly protest over these projects and request the authorities to take immediate action to prevent the abuse of the virgin forest.

The so called 'businessmen' are of the view that these projects would generate more employment opportunities for villagers, especially for 'next door' youth and it would help to uplift the living standard of these villagers, develop infrastructure such as roads, electricity and telephones. Yes. It may be true but who would give the guarantee that these projects would not bring mass scale destruction to the Sinharaja forest and the earlier peaceful co-existence ?

Certain countries have already taken patents for our indigenous plants and the environmentalists and villagers fear that the proposed hotel would be a hub for pirating valuable indigenous medicinal plants from the forest.

They also pointed out that a large extent of forest cover has to be cleared for these projects and smuggling of valuable trees is inevitable. The villagers also fear that the natural water resources would be polluted due to the extensive use of chemicals for the proposed golf course, which is an alien game to most Sri Lankans. Many developed countries such as Japan are waging a war against golf course due to its adverse effects on the environment.

"We are very poor. Our lives are a 'struggle'. Our children need a decent life. But we would not allow any one to destroy our 'haven' for the sake of development", a villager said.

Listen...! Can you hear the silent cry of the Sinharaja forest. She is still a virgin and no one should abuse her.



The threats . . .



1. The proposal for an organic tea plantation, - Sinharaja Plantation Organic (Ltd) - which is a BOI venture, came to the limelight few months ago. In addition to tea, the owners planned to cultivate organic vegetables and herbs for export. According to the proposal a land area of 62 hectares in Illumbekanda and Dolahena in Rakwana in the Sinharaja buffer zone have to be cleared. Plans were made to lease this land for Rs. 50 an acre on a 99 year lease. The owners had stated that this area was an abandoned tea plantation but according to environmentalists the site which is a thick jungle with 30 year old trees, belongs to the Forest Department.

But, the LRC had put up signboards prohibiting entry to the site which is demarcated for the tea plantation.

However, this has led to a dispute between the Department of Forestry (DF) and Land Reform Commission (LRC) over the ownership of this land. The land was handed over by the LRC to the DF in 1981 and the DF maintained a thick forest cover with a cardamom plantation.

The DF had already demarcated 240 hectares of land including Illumbekanda and Dolahena in the latest demarcations for Sinharaja Forest.

Environmentalists claim that the LRC had forcibly taken the land and planned to hand over it to the proposed tea plantation. However, according to M.M. Bandaratilake, the Forest Conservator there is no response for the letters sent to the LRC requesting to hand over the land again to the DF.

"We received a letter from the LRC stating that the construction of the proposed organic tea plantation is temporarily withheld. But we are requesting them to grant the ownership of this land to the DF. Then we can include those areas into the Sinharaja buffer zone to protect it. The Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment had also sent a letter to the LRC.



2. Kudawa Wadagala Murakelewatte, the 20 acre land which falls within the buffer zone of Sinharaja Forest has been encroached by some families in Kalawana area.

The Murakelewatte was gazetted as part of Sinharaja by the gazette extraordinary No. 528/14 in 1988. This land is also in close proximity to the boundaries of Sinharaja Bio Reserve and belongs to the DF from 1989. The DF had taken steps to maintain a natural forest reserve and grown over 200,000 plants within the area. But, the villagers encroached Murakelewatte on July 5 and authorities sent letters to the Conservator of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve stating that the land belonged to the LRC and no objections should be made about the encroachments.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Observer reliably learns that a hotel owner from Kataragama is backing the illegal encroachment.



3. The construction of the 600 miles road from Kosmulla to Lankagama has led to the felling of a large number trees in the Sinharaja Forest. Lankagama village is situated in the forest and this road development project was rejected by the Central Environmental Authority following the Environmental Impact Assessment in 1998.

This once rejected project commenced operations under the direction of the Neluwa Provincial Council Chairman, a reliable source said. Influenced by the politicians in the area, the forest officers, who tried to stop the constructing of the road, were beaten up by the villagers. Although construction of a road through the forest is illegal, authorities are helpless due to political pressure.



4. The proposed 300 acre 'Sinharaja Resort Hotel and Golf Course' in Rakwana aims to attract '400,000' visitors including scientists, artists and photographers who lack 'modest' accommodation beside the forest.

The proposed two-storey 'Sinharaja Resort Hotel' will consist of 80 rooms including 20 cabanas in the first floor and 40 rooms in the second floor. It will also have a car park for over 50 vehicles, a swimming pool and tennis and squash courts. The estimated cost for the hotel and the golf course is Rs. 680 million including a Rs. 420 million foreign investment. The proposed 18 hole golf course is to be situated in Kalawana Pradeshiya Sabha of Atakalan Korale in the Ratnapura district. A 300 acre land area which is in the boundary of the Sinharaja forest will have to be cleared for the proposed hotel and the golf course. This proposed hotel claims to generate employment for village youth and attract more tourists, which will be an additional income generator for the villagers. But, the villagers of Rakwana, Rajawatte, Kopikelle, Manikkawatte, Rabuka and Kajuwatte strongly oppose the project since it will pollute the environment including the water resources. They also believe that this will be a threat to their village culture.



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