It’s just a small road, a simple matter of widening a foot path that has existed for nearly 200 years. So what is all the fuss about? The construction of the road in question, between Imbulkanda and Suriyakanda, has been halted pending a report from the committee dispatched by the Central Environmental Authority. Environmentalists say that the situation could negate the heritage values under which Sinharaja was first listed as a World Heritage Site in 1988.
In fact if the title ‘World Heritage Site’ is revoked Sri Lanka has a lot to lose not only environmentally, but economically as well. Plus it could have huge irreversible repercussions on the place of Sinharaja on the world map, according to Secretary General, Sri Lanka national Commission for UNESCO, Prithi Perera.
World Heirtage is the most popular UNESCO Convention and 188 countries are state parties to it, knowing its immense universal value and benefit, he explained. There are 936 properties recognized as World Heritage throughout the world, with 183 natural heritage sites and 725 cultural heritage sites and 28 mixed cultural and natural heritage sites.
The World Heritage Status provides global recognition and enables due focus and attention to preserving and promoting the site. “It also provides opportunities to get international assistance in case of need, including emergency situations like fires, floods and other forms of damage and disaster,” says Prithi Perera.
He further explained that the status further provides assistance for research and capacity building of officials involved in preserving the site. Above all, it is a great honour for any country to have a world recognition for any of its cultural or natural heritage sites. “This helps to promote nature and eco tourism and the consequent economic and employment benefits to the concerned communities.
“The loss of bio diversity and environmental degradation will affect the future generations in the country and contribute to pollution, global warming and climate change, if this Worlds Natural Heritage is not preserved adequately for posterity,” warned Prithi Perera. “It is therefore the responsibility of the present generations to see to the needs of the future generations.”
According to UNESCO there are two villages within the south-west of the reserve, and about 52 families live in the north-western sector. At least 20 other settlements occur on the periphery, an unknown number of which have been illegally established on state land without approval from the relevant authorities.
According to Sri Lanka Green Movement Conservator, Bandu Ranga Kariyawasam the construction activities on the road had commenced without so much as an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). “They have clearly crossed the line,” says Kariyawasam. However Environment Minister, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, argues that it is ridiculous to expect an EIA to be conducted for widening a village foot path. “Next thing we know they’ll want an EIA for uprooting mango trees.”
“This whole road issue has been blown out of proportion by NGO’s determined to use the situation to campaign for their funding proposals,” says Charitha Herath, Chairman Central Environmental Authority. He reiterated that the road will NOT partition the reserve, as claimed by many activists.
When asked whether the foot path will accommodate vehicles after the ‘widening’ process, Minister Yapa said that they will not know until the committee submits its report. Nor can they assure that the proposed road falls within 100 metres of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve boundary, in which case conducting an EIA is imperative, according to environmental lawyer, Jagath Gunawardena. “Legally speaking they should have conducted an EIA before construction began.”
Gunawardena explained that under the Flora and Fauna protection ordinance any construction activity within 100 metres of a biologically sensitive area, that exceeds clearing of one hectare, requires an EIA. Both Morningside and Beragala Proposed Forest Reserve are biologically sensitive areas.
“The whole area that will be taken up for the new road may not be within the Protected Area, but then the whole ‘Sinharaja’ is not within that boundary either. That does not mean that the forest patches outside the boundary are less important,” explained Gunawardena.
The case would have been different had the adjoining land been taken over by the Forest Conservation Department according to the presidential directive issued on August 2001, in which all state forests bordering Sinharaja have been vested with the Forest Department, says Gunawardena. “These lands were intended to be handed over,” explained Gunawardena. “Any construction activity therefore, should not be allowed.”
“The villagers of Imbulkanda and Bambumale do not need a road. They already have a road that leads to Rakwana, only it is three kilometres longer. Is it fair to play with the delicate balance of a sensitive ecosystem for the sake of a few shortened kilometres?” questions Kariyawasam.
The proposed road will pose a major threat to Morningside, one of the most scenic and biodiversity rich areas adjoining Sinharaja. Apparently the road would directly affect 2000 acres of land.
According to conservationists like Kariyawasam, the building of the road will directly affect the Beragala Proposed Forest Reserve. Moreover he explains that the area in question is an important flood control catchment area of the Kukule Ganga project.
The fate of Sinharaja may rest in the hands of a handful of experts. The committee dispatched by the CEA shoulders a huge responsibility.
“The whole area that will be taken up for the new road may not be within the Protected Area, but then the whole ‘Sinharaja’ is not within that boundary either. That does not mean that the forest patches outside the boundary are less important,” explained Gunawardena.
The case would have been different had the adjoining land been taken over by the Forest Conservation Department according to the presidential directive issued on August 2001, in which all state forests bordering Sinharaja have been vested with the Forest Department, says Gunawardena. “These lands were intended to be handed over,” explained Gunawardena. “Any construction activity therefore, should not be allowed.”
“The villagers of Imbulkanda and Bambumale do not need a road. They already have a road that leads to Rakwana, only it is three kilometres longer. Is it fair to play with the delicate balance of a sensitive ecosystem for the sake of a few shortened kilometres?” questions Kariyawasam.
The proposed road will pose a major threat to Morningside, one of the most scenic and biodiversity rich areas adjoining Sinharaja. Apparently the road would directly affect 2000 acres of land.
According to conservationists like Kariyawasam, the building of the road will directly affect the Beragala Proposed Forest Reserve. Moreover he explains that the area in question is an important flood control catchment area of the Kukule Ganga project.
The fate of Sinharaja may rest in the hands of a handful of experts. The committee dispatched by the CEA shoulders a huge responsibility.
Teeming with life
Literally meaning lion (Sinha) king (Raja), Sinharaja is the last viable area of primary tropical rainforest, consisting a few patches of Montane and grasslands in higher altitudes. Palm (for jaggery, a sugar substitute), Wewal, Cardamom, Dun (for varnish and incense) and Weniwal (for medicinal purposes) are used intensively by villagers.
Selective logging in the 1970s for the manufacture of plywood nearly contributed to the downfall of the reserve. Fortunately environmental activism resulted in a complete ban of logging in 1978.
Don’t be fooled by the overwhelming foliage of this rain forest. Wildlife may not be as obvious as in dry zone ecosystems as Yala, but Sinharaja is teeming with life. It is home to threatened mammals such as leopard, which is also its major carnivore, and elephant. However elephants have not been sighted in the western sector since 1974, after the logging project.
Among the smaller mammals are Purple-faced leaf Monkey and Toque Monkey. Wild Pig, Sambhur, Mouse Deer and Barking Deer are among the larger mammals. The Fishing Cat and the Rusty-spotted Cat are indeed very rare.
Common nocturnal species are the civets and mongoose species, such as Civet, an endemic species, and the Striped-necked Mongoose. Rats, shrews and squirrels are quite common. Undisturbed forests are imperative for the survival of endemic species, such as the Bicoloured Rat.
The many layered Sinharaja forest canopy is home to a staggering 147 species of birds. The survival of endangered and rare species such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, green-billed coucal, Sri Lanka white-headed starling, Sri Lanka blue magpie, ashy-headed babbler and red-faced malkoha depends on the fate of the Sinharaja.
Among the very rare bird species are Sri Lanka Grackle (Gracula ptilogenys), Sri Lanka Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus), Spotted-winged Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera), Sri Lanka Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillum) and Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia).
Species such as Blue Magpie, White-eye, Spotted-winged Thrush, White-headed Starling, Scaly Thrush, Ashy-headed Babbler, Pigeon, Dusky Blue Flycatcher and Yellow-eared Bulbul are also observed. Among the migrant species are Indian Blue Chat, Layard’s Flycatcher and Broen Shrike.
At least 36% of the species are common to the forest as well as to outside habitats. Most bird species are habitat sensitive and likely to be eliminated if forest areas are disturbed. This is why forest patches outside the reserve require equal attention, when it comes to conservation.
Half the total number of amphibian species in Sri Lanka and nearly half the endemic amphibians are represented in Sinharaja. Wrinkled Frog (Rana corrugata), Lesser Wood Frog (Rana aurantiaca), Slender Wood frog (Rana gracilis), Guenther’s Cliff Frog (Nannophrys guentheri), Sharp nosed Tree Frog (Rhacophorus nasutus), Greater Hourglass Tree Frog (Rhacophorus cruciger), Wrinkled Tree Frog (Philautus schmardanus), Red Ramanella (Ramnella palmata), Torrent Toad (Bufo kelaartii) and Yellow-banned Caecillian (Ichthyophys glutinosus) make up the list of Sinharaja amphibians.
Out of the 45 reptile species found in the reserve, 21 are endemic, including snakes, several lizards, tortoises and skinks. Among the snakes are Green-pit Viper (Trimerasurus trinoncephalus), Sri Lanka Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus), Sri Lanka Wolf-snake (Cercaspis carinatus), Barnes Cat Snake (Boiga barnesi), Kukri snake (Oligodon calamarius), Dumeril’s Kukri Snake (Oligodon sublinensis), Blossom Krait (Balanophis ceylonensis), Drummond-hays Rough Snake (Aspidura drummondhayi), Gunther’s Bronze-back (Dendrelaphis caudolineolatus), Chequered Keelback (Xenochrophis asperrimus), Sri Lanka Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus), Deraniyagala’s Earth Snake (Rhinophis tricolorata) and Black-spined Snake (Haplocercus ceylonensis).
The Hump-nosed Lizard (Lyiocephalus scutatus), Earless Lizard (Otriocephalus scutatus), Rough-nose Horned Lizard (Ceratophora aspera) are among the common lizards.
Although Sinharaja is not pronounced in its freshwater fish diversity Combtail, Smooth-Breasted Snakehead, Black Ruby Barb, Cherry Barb and Red-tail Goby are observed in the many waterways of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
Sixty-five species of butterfly have been identified from Sinharaja, to date. Among the common species are Tree Nymph, Common Bird-wing, Clipper, Cruiser, Blue-banded Peacock and Five bar Swordtail.
The leech, Haemadipsa ceylanica, so characteristic of Sinharja, is among the common invertebrates. The Giant earthworm (Megascoles coeruleus) at least half a metre in length, three centimetres in diameter and deep blue in colour, the Giant millipede (Spirostreptus sp.) and the Giant pill-box millipede (Arthosheaera versicolor) are also among the many creepy crawlies that add to Sinharaja’s diversity. Giant woodspider (Nephila maculata) and several species of Tarantula (Poccilotheria spp.) are also common in the forest.
But perhaps the most extraordinary phenomenon that Sinharaja has offered yet is the newly sighted White monkeys. This different colour morph to the endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkey was discovered on September by the Wildlife Conservation Society Galle (WCSG) research team comprising Madhura de Silva, Nadika Hapuarachchi, Rohan Krishantha, Sampath Gunasinghe, Tharanga Aluthwala and Sajeewa Wijeweera.
The White Monkey had remained undiscovered for 330 years. Sir Emerson Tennent, as early as 1861, mentions it in The Natural History of Ceylon.
Some monkeys are completely white while others have mixed coats. They are generally white bodied, sometimes with grey patches, and white tails. Their under parts are pink and yellow, their hands are also pink. The throat patch and hair around the mouth is white and the crown is of beige to ashy brown hair. The iris is golden brown, characteristic of colour morphs.
This is due to a phenomenon known as leucism, characterized by reduced pigmentation, not just melanin but all types of pigmentation that gives colour to skin. They are not albinos, but are a different group altogether.
They are endemic to Sri Lanka and listed as endangered in the 2011 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List. According to Madhura de Silva, President, WCSG, the majority were outside the protected regions. In fact 19% were from home gardens and eight percent were found in both rainforest and home gardens.
“This proposed road cuts directly through the population of White Monkeys splitting it in two,” says Madhura de Silva. The WCSG strongly believes that black tigers still roam the Sinharaja forest. How many more species are yet to be discovered? Perhaps these rare species already constrained by lesser numbers, would perish still undiscovered.
Pix by Nanaka Ranwella
Selective logging in the 1970s for the manufacture of plywood nearly contributed to the downfall of the reserve. Fortunately environmental activism resulted in a complete ban of logging in 1978.
Don’t be fooled by the overwhelming foliage of this rain forest. Wildlife may not be as obvious as in dry zone ecosystems as Yala, but Sinharaja is teeming with life. It is home to threatened mammals such as leopard, which is also its major carnivore, and elephant. However elephants have not been sighted in the western sector since 1974, after the logging project.
Among the smaller mammals are Purple-faced leaf Monkey and Toque Monkey. Wild Pig, Sambhur, Mouse Deer and Barking Deer are among the larger mammals. The Fishing Cat and the Rusty-spotted Cat are indeed very rare.
Common nocturnal species are the civets and mongoose species, such as Civet, an endemic species, and the Striped-necked Mongoose. Rats, shrews and squirrels are quite common. Undisturbed forests are imperative for the survival of endemic species, such as the Bicoloured Rat.
The many layered Sinharaja forest canopy is home to a staggering 147 species of birds. The survival of endangered and rare species such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, green-billed coucal, Sri Lanka white-headed starling, Sri Lanka blue magpie, ashy-headed babbler and red-faced malkoha depends on the fate of the Sinharaja.
Among the very rare bird species are Sri Lanka Grackle (Gracula ptilogenys), Sri Lanka Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus), Spotted-winged Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera), Sri Lanka Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillum) and Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia).
Species such as Blue Magpie, White-eye, Spotted-winged Thrush, White-headed Starling, Scaly Thrush, Ashy-headed Babbler, Pigeon, Dusky Blue Flycatcher and Yellow-eared Bulbul are also observed. Among the migrant species are Indian Blue Chat, Layard’s Flycatcher and Broen Shrike.
At least 36% of the species are common to the forest as well as to outside habitats. Most bird species are habitat sensitive and likely to be eliminated if forest areas are disturbed. This is why forest patches outside the reserve require equal attention, when it comes to conservation.
Half the total number of amphibian species in Sri Lanka and nearly half the endemic amphibians are represented in Sinharaja. Wrinkled Frog (Rana corrugata), Lesser Wood Frog (Rana aurantiaca), Slender Wood frog (Rana gracilis), Guenther’s Cliff Frog (Nannophrys guentheri), Sharp nosed Tree Frog (Rhacophorus nasutus), Greater Hourglass Tree Frog (Rhacophorus cruciger), Wrinkled Tree Frog (Philautus schmardanus), Red Ramanella (Ramnella palmata), Torrent Toad (Bufo kelaartii) and Yellow-banned Caecillian (Ichthyophys glutinosus) make up the list of Sinharaja amphibians.
Out of the 45 reptile species found in the reserve, 21 are endemic, including snakes, several lizards, tortoises and skinks. Among the snakes are Green-pit Viper (Trimerasurus trinoncephalus), Sri Lanka Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus), Sri Lanka Wolf-snake (Cercaspis carinatus), Barnes Cat Snake (Boiga barnesi), Kukri snake (Oligodon calamarius), Dumeril’s Kukri Snake (Oligodon sublinensis), Blossom Krait (Balanophis ceylonensis), Drummond-hays Rough Snake (Aspidura drummondhayi), Gunther’s Bronze-back (Dendrelaphis caudolineolatus), Chequered Keelback (Xenochrophis asperrimus), Sri Lanka Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus), Deraniyagala’s Earth Snake (Rhinophis tricolorata) and Black-spined Snake (Haplocercus ceylonensis).
The Hump-nosed Lizard (Lyiocephalus scutatus), Earless Lizard (Otriocephalus scutatus), Rough-nose Horned Lizard (Ceratophora aspera) are among the common lizards.
Although Sinharaja is not pronounced in its freshwater fish diversity Combtail, Smooth-Breasted Snakehead, Black Ruby Barb, Cherry Barb and Red-tail Goby are observed in the many waterways of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
Sixty-five species of butterfly have been identified from Sinharaja, to date. Among the common species are Tree Nymph, Common Bird-wing, Clipper, Cruiser, Blue-banded Peacock and Five bar Swordtail.
The leech, Haemadipsa ceylanica, so characteristic of Sinharja, is among the common invertebrates. The Giant earthworm (Megascoles coeruleus) at least half a metre in length, three centimetres in diameter and deep blue in colour, the Giant millipede (Spirostreptus sp.) and the Giant pill-box millipede (Arthosheaera versicolor) are also among the many creepy crawlies that add to Sinharaja’s diversity. Giant woodspider (Nephila maculata) and several species of Tarantula (Poccilotheria spp.) are also common in the forest.
But perhaps the most extraordinary phenomenon that Sinharaja has offered yet is the newly sighted White monkeys. This different colour morph to the endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkey was discovered on September by the Wildlife Conservation Society Galle (WCSG) research team comprising Madhura de Silva, Nadika Hapuarachchi, Rohan Krishantha, Sampath Gunasinghe, Tharanga Aluthwala and Sajeewa Wijeweera.
The White Monkey had remained undiscovered for 330 years. Sir Emerson Tennent, as early as 1861, mentions it in The Natural History of Ceylon.
Some monkeys are completely white while others have mixed coats. They are generally white bodied, sometimes with grey patches, and white tails. Their under parts are pink and yellow, their hands are also pink. The throat patch and hair around the mouth is white and the crown is of beige to ashy brown hair. The iris is golden brown, characteristic of colour morphs.
This is due to a phenomenon known as leucism, characterized by reduced pigmentation, not just melanin but all types of pigmentation that gives colour to skin. They are not albinos, but are a different group altogether.
They are endemic to Sri Lanka and listed as endangered in the 2011 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List. According to Madhura de Silva, President, WCSG, the majority were outside the protected regions. In fact 19% were from home gardens and eight percent were found in both rainforest and home gardens.
“This proposed road cuts directly through the population of White Monkeys splitting it in two,” says Madhura de Silva. The WCSG strongly believes that black tigers still roam the Sinharaja forest. How many more species are yet to be discovered? Perhaps these rare species already constrained by lesser numbers, would perish still undiscovered.
Pix by Nanaka Ranwella
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