Sinharaja forest covering an area of 11,187 hectares of primary and secondary forests was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978 and became a National Heritage Wilderness Area under the National Heritage Wilderness Area Act in 1988. This virgin forest was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1989. It is home to many endemic Sri Lankan fauna and flora. According to the UNESCO's MAB program classification Sinharaja is identified as a Tropical Humid Ceylonese Rain Forest of the Indo Malayan realm. It is the best location to see mixed species bird flocks and offers an ideal opportunity to see a range of endemic, resident and migrant species. Some of the highlights species are Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Legge's Flowerpecker, Dollarbird and Red-winged Crested Cuckoo. Some of the Lizard species that can be observed are the Earless Lizard, Humped-nosed Lizard and three species of Horned Lizards of which two species were described to science as recently as in year 2000. Sinharaja is home for many amphibian species, many of which are in the process of being scientifically described.

Sinharaja Rain Forest Related references