Kanneliya
forest which is a part of Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) forest
complex is located in the south-western part of Sri Lanka about 35km northeast
of the city of Galle. The total extent of the KDN is 10,867 hectares and
the extent of Kanneliya forest is 6,100 hectares. The history of Kanneliya is a
fascinating story of endurance of the nature. It is a forest which was able to
resurrect as the most extensive surviving block of low land rainforest next to
Sinharaja, after heavy selective logging operations continued nearly for four
decades.
The
Forest department declared Kanneliya Forest as a Forest Reserve in 1934. Later
in early 90’s it was designated as a conservation area.
Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forest complex was declared as an
International Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program of UNESCO
in the year 2004. Kanneliya Forest Reserve has been identified as a suitable
area for in situ conservation of Crop Wild Relative species.
The
Kanneliya forest reserve is accessible by Koralegama – Kanneliya road. It is minor
motor able road off Udugama- Hiniduma main road this road leads to the
Kanneliya forest and ends just before the main entrance of the forest at
Nannikitha Ela. A bridge has been constructed to cross the Nanikita Ela. An old
logging road continues from that point.
The
general landscape of KDN complex consists of ridges, valleys and low altitude
isolated hills. The mean annual rainfall varies from 3500- 4500mm with an
average annual rainfall of about 4445mm mainly during the southwest monsoonal
period from mid-May to the end of September. The mean monthly temperature is
around 27◦ C, with a diurnal range of 4-5◦ C. Maximum temperature occurs from mid-March
to mid-May.
The
KDN complex is considered as one of the floristically richest areas in South
Asia. It is categorized as a lowland wet evergreen forest. These forests show a
luxuriant growth with the characteristic multistoried structure and diversity
of species. The natural vegetation of KDN forests is dominated by Shorea-
Dipterocarpus- Mesua association (Na-Dun association). Dipterocarpus (Hora
family) dominates the forest structure composition of Kanneliya. As a result of
past logging, much of this forest remains today as a secondary forest. However,
the species richness and diversity of flowering plants are still relatively
high in the forest.
There
are 301 floral species in Kanneliya. These include trees, shrubs and herbs of
which 52% has been identified as endemic to Sri Lanka, 15 species as being
globally threatened and 26 species as being nationally threatened. The
Kanneliya forest is notable for having the highest percentage of endemic woody
species (60 per cent) of any single wet zone forest.
The
relatively undisturbed and complex environment of KDN forests provides a home
to a richly diversified fauna with a high degree of endemism. A total of around
220 faunal species with 41 endemics have been recorded from the KDN forest
complex and adjacent forests.
The
KDN forest complex provides an ideal place to observe wet zone forest birds
including majority of the endemic birds in the island within a range of diverse
habitats such as heavily forested areas, riverine forests, disturbed areas, and
peripheral village home gardens. The stratification of the forest vegetation
has also created diverse habitats for birds and it has enabled the formation of
mixed species foraging bird flocks. These flocks sometimes comprise of 30-35
species of birds are a spectacular sight which add colour to the forest
environment.
The
most recent studies show that around 120 bird species have been recorded from
KDN forest complex. This includes 14 of the 23 endemic species in Sri Lanka.
Birds of the KDN forest complex vary in size from the tiny Pale Billed Flower pecker
to the very large Black Eagle and range from those found in the under growth
such as Dark- fronted Babbler to canopy dwellers such as Red Faced Malkoha.
Several
species of toads, frogs, tree frogs are found in the KDN forest complex,
including a number of rare endemic amphibians such as Nannophrys guentheri, Ramonella palmata and Icthyophis glutinosus.
A
variety of butterflies can be seen in this forest due to the richness of the
flora. These include two endemic species namely the Bird Wing and the Ceylon
Rose.
A
rich array of geckos, skinks and lizards and serpents are found in the area.
The largest serpent in Sri Lanka, the Indian Python can also be found in KDN
forests.
One
third of the fresh water fish fauna in Sri Lanka is endemic and the tributaries
of Gin ganga which originates from Kanneliya forest harbour most of these fish
species. They distributed along the different parts of streams according to the
state of water currents and the substrate condition. Majority of the land
molluscs found in the KDN forest complex is endemic.
Several
species of small mammals are also found in the area, and the Sambar being the
largest herbivore. Leopard, the largest carnivore in Sri Lanka can also be
observed. Giant squirrel and Purple faced monkey are some of the commonest
mammals present in Kanneliya.
KDN forests are important hydrologically as they protect the
headwaters of major rivers in southern Sri Lanka, Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga.
Kanneliya forest is ranked among the most important natural forest in the
southern Sri Lanka as it has a very high number of streams. These streamslets
lead into 3 major streams which are river tributaries of the “Gin ganga’.
Two picturesque waterfalls originate from one of the tributaries,
Anagi-mala-ella and. Naran-Gas-Ella.
There are 78 villages surrounding the KDN forests. Of these,
24 villages are immediately adjoining the forest complex. This includes 16
villages adjoining Kanneliya. The rural economy of villages around KDN complex
is based primarily on tea and paddy small holdings. The homesteads are
cultivated with crop mixtures. Some villagers are engaged in small scale
cottage industries based on Kitul palm, rattan and bamboo Villagers depend on
the forest for fuel wood, small wood and more specifically non wood forest
products including medicinal herbs. There are three hermitage type temples
within these forests and it is evident that the villages have had close
religious associations with the forest complex.
There are several nature trials within the forest
designated to give first hand experiences to eco tourists who are eager to
expedite this treasure trove of nature.
·
Anagimala Ella
(Waterfall)
·
Wavul Lena (Bat
Cave)
·
Narangas Ella
(Waterfall)
·
Lihinigal Lena
(Cave)
·
Kabbale Kanda Peak
and Access
Source - Sri Lanka Forest Department
S
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