Sinharaja (vergin rain forest of Sri Lanka)

Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forest in Sri lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west .The length of the forest is about 21km and width from North to South is about 3.7km.It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978,as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest Eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of it's International Network of Biosphere reserves. It was declared a National wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989.It is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of the country in the districts of Ratnapura, Galle and Matara. The average annual temperature of Sinharaja is 23.6 C. Annual rainfall is more than 2500mm.The rain fall is well distributed during two monsoons, May to July and October to December.

Rainforest Action

• Experts agree that by leaving the rain forests intact and harvesting it's many nuts, fruits, oil-producing plants, and medicinal plants, the rain forest has more economic value than if they were cut down to make grazing land for cattle or for timber.
• The latest statistics show that rain forest land converted to cattle operations yields the land owner $60 per acre and if timber is harvested, the land is worth $400 per acre. However, if these renewable and sustainable resources are harvested, the land will yield the land owner $2,400 per acre.
• If managed properly, the rain forest can provide the world's need for these natural resources on a perpetual basis.
• Promoting the use of these sustainable and renewable sources could stop the destruction of the rain forests. By creating a new source of income harvesting the medicinal plants, fruits nuts, oil and other sustainable resources, the rain forests are more valuable alive than cut and burned.
• Sufficient demand of sustainable and ecologically harvested rain forest products is necessary for preservation efforts to succeed. Purchasing sustainable rain forest products can effect positive change by creating a market for these products while supporting the native people's economy and provides the economic solution and alternative to cutting the forest just for the value of its timber.

The important of rain forests

Topical rain forests are located around the equator.

The temperature around the equator is high.
Hance the rate of water evaporation is high.
As a result there is frequent rain in rain forests.
They are found in south and central America,Africa,
in the Island around Australia and Asia.
The rain forests are important to to human existence

and the surroundings. Rain forests are a rich source
of medicinal plants,food and useful forest products.They maintain about
50% of the plant,animal,bird,reptile and insect species of the world.These
forests help to maintain a regular rainfall They also stand as a buffer against
floods,droughts and erosion .these forests product produce a significant
a most of the world's oxygen.

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