Nature Trails in Sinharaja Rain Forest , Sri Lanka

Nature Trails in Sinharaja Rain Forest , Sri Lanka

Rain Forest Exploration - Sri LankaSINHARAJA RAINFOREST is a world heritage site and major eco tourism destination, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest . Whatever its 'technical' name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka's endemic species found no where else in the world. BIRD WATCHING in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka ! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word 'Sinharaja' means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!

Read more....
Rain Forest Exploration - Sri Lanka Rain Forest Exploration - Sri Lanka Rain Forest Exploration - Sinharaja - Sri Lanka


Sinharaja valued at Rs. 18 billion per annum

The first ever value survey on the Sinharaja forest, based on international valuation, has placed it at an annual price tag of USD 188.47 million or Rs.18.84 billion.

Sinharaja which was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1998 has been given this price considering its value at key ecosystem services by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Services include re-creation capacity, non-timber forest product and genetic resources, among other benchmarks.

The bulk of the land area in Sinharaja was declared a forest reserve in 1875 under the Waste Lands Ordinance and today it remains the last primary lowland tropical rain forest in the country.

Meanwhile a similar study on ecosystem services of Mangrove Ecosystems of the country has attached a total value of USD 57.8 to them.

The Ministry which has so far worked out the calculations only for these two ecosystems maintains that non-availability of data has restricted it from carrying out similar studies on other ecosystems here.


"Week Without Walls (WWW) - OSC & Eco Team

This year [2008] signaled a grand return to past OSC tradition; from the January 15 to 18 , the Overseas School of Colombo re-established its "Week Without Walls (WWW)" programme.

Designed for the secondary school, WWW is an "out of classroom" experience for students that is designed to enrich them with a better knowledge of their host country and its environment.

WWW an effort to develop and enhance greater social and cultural awareness. WWW emphasizes holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication. It helps students to bond with their peer groups in environments outside of school.

At the Overseas School of Colombo, WWW this year was an exciting time for all students participating.

Eco Team was the obvious choice by the OSC and their appointed travel coordinator - United Holidays, to be the service provider for 2 wilderness camps in Singharaja Rain Forest and Hatton. Singharaja camp was coupled with a rainforest exploration programme conducted by Eco Team's expert naturalists whilst the Hatton Camp coupled with an Adam's Peak expedition backed by Eco team Trekkers & Guides.