Sri Lanka is the most biologically diverse country in Asia and part of a global biodiversity hotspot. But studies estimate that its tropical forests, which harbour roughly 90% of the country’s endemic species, are disappearing at a rate of 1.6% annually. Although there are still many areas of non-native productive forest, extensive agricultural and silvicultural expansion over the past 150 years has left only an estimated 6% of primary rainforest. These critical forest ecosystems are highly fragmented and under increasing threat.
It is not only the native environment that bears the costs of forest loss in Sri Lanka; valuable traditional forest products such as timbers and medicinal plants and ecological services such as watershed protection are also disappearing. Protecting Sri Lanka’s remaining primary rainforest is critical not only for biodiversity conservation but also for human livelihood security.
More work urgently needs to be done to ensure the long-term survival of Sri Lanka’s remaining rainforest and the endemic amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, and small mammals that live in them. The isolation of animals that live in forest patches makes them particularly vulnerable to extinction. The extent of species disappearance due to habitat loss has not been accurately researched but it is believed to be vast – scientists have already documented the extinction of 21 endemic amphibians.
Since 2002, we have been working to restore and conserve the highly threatened rainforest habitat between Sinharaja World Heritage Forest Reserve and Kanneliya Forest Reserve, which are critical biodiversity reservoirs. Our long-term Rainforest Corridor programme aims to protect and increase habitats and conservation areas for vulnerable rainforest species. By establishing biodiversity corridors, species will be able to move between habitat patches. These linkages help to stop extinction by creating more habitats, maintaining migratory pathways during times of environmental change, and encouraging breeding to help maintain viable populations.
Due to the Sri Lanka’s high population density much of the land surrounding the remaining rainforest patches is inhabited by people. Therefore we have chosen an approach that combines the conservation of forest patches with smallholder land-development and community programmes.
We have formed productive linkages with local farmers, schools, and government agencies. The effectiveness of these programs is already being realized – we have received multiple requests from communities seeking to address various environmental problems and protect these important areas for future generations.
To find out more about the project components click on the links below:
» Corridor mapping and planning
» Planting programmes to conserve remnant forest patches
» Livelihood and agriculture biodiversity development through sustainable agriculture
» Environmental education
» Endangered species conservation
Corridor mapping and planning
RRI has completed an initial map of the corridor area and, with the help of a volunteer, have also developed a Forest Fragment database that is used to record and monitor forest patches in the corridor area.
Planting programmes to conserve remnant forest patches
With the support of Rainforest Concern and the Rainforest Trust of Sri Lanka we have purchased 18 acres of land in the corridor area, which are being restored to natural forest via Analog Forestry.
We are also establishing a rainforest nursery on the Hiniduma lands to help propagate endangered rainforest species as well as to develop a source of plants for our planting programmes. This has been funded by the Rainforest Conservation Fund.
A further 4 acres of land in Baddegama, a rainforest buffer zone area, host our main rainforest plant nursery and have lands that are being restored to rainforest.
Our planting programmes are funded by various organisations which include Desert Venture, Rainforest Rescue Australia and Travel Development Lanka.
Livelihood and agriculture biodiversity development through sustainable agriculture
Our special carbon offsetting programme works with rural farmers to develop sustainable farming practices as well as to plant and protect native rainforest plant species to build up forest cover.
Environmental education
Started in 2009, RRI's Rainforest Ranger programme works with schools in rural areas to give children a positive connection to their environment.
Endangered species conservation
With the support of the National Geographic Society, RRI pioneered a unique research project to develop a non-destructive amphibian sampling technique.
We are now building on that work by developing new amphibian habitats on RRI land in Hiniduma to study the migration patterns of five endangered species as well as to create habitat to protect these animals. This project is funded with the support of Rainforest Concern.
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» Download the case study for this project (PDF, 252KB)
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