Plant diversity and endemism in Sri Lanka are quite high. Of 3,210 flowering plants belonging to 1,052 genera, 916 species and 18 genera are endemic. All but one of Sri Lanka's more than 55 dipterocarp are found nowhere else in the world. Sri Lanka's amphibian diversity is only becoming known now. Sri Lanka may be home to as many as 140 species of amphibians. More than 50 known freshwater crabs are confined to Sri Lanka.
Deforestation
Between 1990 and 2000, Sri Lanka lost an average of 26,800 ha of forests per year. This amounted to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.14 percent. Between 2000 and 2005 this accelerated to 1.43% per annum.
Conservation efforts
92 Key Biodiversity Areas have been identified through a process coordinated by the Wildlife Heritage Trust and University of Peradeniya. Many other data and published literature were also incorporated into the analysis, notably data on Important Bird Areas collected by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. Nearly all of these KBAs lie in the wet zone in south western part of the country. These areas considered irreplaceable because all sites contain endemic species that found nowhere else, with some of them harboring more than 100 globally threatened species. The flora and fauna of Sri Lanka are heavily understudied. For instance the Serendib scops owl was described and nine other bird species added to the list of endemics only in 2004. Thus the number of endemic species is likely to be a gross underestimate.
A number of forest reserves and proposed reserves are managed by Department of Forest Conservation. These areas are ecosystems with rich biodiversity. Some of the forest reserves and proposed reserves include
National protected areas are mainly classified into six types. The first four categories of protected areas cover all the ecological and regions of Sri Lanka. The 5th, 6th and 7th categories were introduced in 1993 by amending the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. However, no regions have been declared under these categories so far.
Strict nature reserves
National parks
Nature reserves
Jungle corridors
Refuge
Marine reserves
Buffer zones
Sanctuaries
Strict nature reserves
Human activities are restricted in SNRs and they are protected as a pure natural system. Researchers are allowed under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife Conservation staff and with the prior approval of the director.
Protected area
Area
in ha
Date of declaration
Hakgala
1,141.6
1938-02-05
Yala
28,904.7
1939-03-10
Ritigala
1,528.1
1941-11-07
Source:
National parks
National parks are areas allowed for the public to see and study wildlife. However necessary rules and regulations are introduced to protect wildlife and their habitats.
Nature reserves
Wildlife viewing and studying is restricted in these areas. Similar to Strict nature reserves scientific researches are encouraged under the supervision of Department of Wildlife Conservation staff. These areas differ from strict nature reserves by allowing traditional human activities to continue.
Protected area
Area
in ha
Date of declaration
Triconamadu
25,019.3
1986-10-24
Riverine
824.1
1991-07-31
Minneriya-Girithale
Block I
7,529.1
1988-02-12
Block II
1,923.6
1993-06-25
Block III
4,745.3
1995-07-07
Block IV
8,335.5
1997-09-01
Wetahirakanda
3,229
2002-06-07
Peak Wilderness
12,979
2007-09-21
Nagar kovil
7,882
2016-03-01
Vidataltivu
29,180
2016-03-01
Source:
Jungle corridors
The only jungle corridor declared under the accelerated Mahaweli Oleend Programme.
Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries ensure the protection of wildlife of private lands which outside the state claim. In the sanctuaries protection of habitat and allowing of human activities occur simultaneously. Permission is not required for entry to these lands.
