Kanneliya Forest Reserve

 park, forest, nature conservation park / area

Kanneliya Forest Reserve
(Kanneliya, Dediyagala, Nakiyadeniya, complex)

Kanneliya Dediyagala Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Forest Reserves are located in the south-western part of Sri Lanka, east of Galle. KDN complex of forests occupies the area between two rivers, the Gin Ganga and the Nilwala Ganga. It consists of a series of ridges and valleys and elevation ranges from 60- 425m above mean sea level. The mean monthly temperature is around 270 c, with a diurnal range of 4 -50 c. Maximum temperature has been recorded from mid March to May. The mean annual rainfall in Kanneliya is around 3750 mm. The natural vegetation of KDN complex is the lowland wet evergreen forest, which is a climax forest formation dominated by the Doona (Shorea), Dipterocarpus, Mesua association. Floristically and physiognomically, it shows affinities to the lowland rain forest of Malaysia. Over 17% of the wet zone flora is confined to this area where the KDN forests are the most prominent. This region has been identified as floristically one of the richest areas in South Asia. The endemic flora and fauna of the south-western wet zone, including the KDN, includes a relict of the biota of the Indian Plate with Gondwanaic ancestry. Therefore, the biota of the south-western Sri Lanka, including the KDN forests is of considerable scientific interest with respect to the biogeography of south and Southeast Asia. There is a high proportion of endemism among the identified woody plants, with 159 species belonging to 94 genera and 41 families being endemic to Sri Lanka. Over 100 Bird species can be seen, out of that 16 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. eg. Green billed Coucal, Blue Magpie, Spot-winged thrush etc. and over 15 endemic freshwater fish species can be found from Kanneliya streams and many other endemic reptiles, amphibians, butterflies also can be seen from this area.

There are 78 villages surrounding the KDN forests. Small scale cottage industries based on kitul palm (fishtail palm), and many people are involved in the collection of medicinal plants and plant products, and rattan for handicrafts and furniture. Collection of bee honey has become a popular activity but it is declining. This is an important part of the rural economy.