Rainforest Conservation and Education Center

Two months ago, a small team of volunteers accompanied the incumbent Chairperson of the Rainforest Protectors Trust (RPT) to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in order to participate in the Nationwide Wild Elephant Census, the first such National Census since 2011.

The team in question was taken through the Main Entrance (Kudawa) of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve by the Chairperson and a Government Guide attached to the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC), in order to experience the biodiversity, ecosystems and habitats contained within the administrative boundaries of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

Following day the team accompanied 04 Forest Officers attached to the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC) and 02 Wildlife Officers attached to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), entering the administrative boundaries of the Eastern Sector of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve between Handapan Ella (Waterfall) and Ilumbakanda Mountain.

During the aforementioned foray into Eastern Sinharaja there was continuous, heavy rainfall and while no physical sightings of any Wild Elephants occurred, evidence of footprints and elephant dung was prevalent. For additional context there are only two Wild Elephants remaining within the administrative boundaries of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, both of whom are Male Elephants.

Attached is a landscape picture from the weekend of the National Wild Elephant Census in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, specifically while within the Eastern Sector of the Forest Reserve.

The picture itself is of a tract of Sub Montane Grasslands which are regularly frequented by Wild Elephants. In the background are the Sub Montane Forests that comprise the bulk of the ecosystems and habitats contained within the administrative boundaries of Eastern Sinharaja.

Protecting the last remaining rainforest lands surrounding Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest is critical to ensure the survival of the Rainforest Elephants. Additionally, Rainforest Protectors Trust is working with the relevant Government departments to take necessary steps immediately to prevent the extinction of lowland Rainforest Elephants.

Please consider making a donation or becoming a member and help save these last remaining pristine rainforests for future generations!

Summer of 2023 was Earth’s hottest since global records began in 1880, according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS). The months of June, July, and August combined were 0.23 degrees Celsius (0.41 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than any other summer in NASA’s record, and 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than the average summer between 1951 and 1980. Summer of 2024 is already gearing up to possibly break previous year record. 

Working in this remote location of Sri Lanka, we are trying to protect the last remaining primary rainforest in the country. While trying to mitigate climate change and its effects on local biodiversity, we are also battling deforestation and illegal encroachment. 

To expand the monitoring of protected lands under the management of Rainforest Protectors Trust and to complement the monitoring done on ground by the Rainforest Guardians, we recently acquired a drone which captured some spectacular images and video including the one pictured here. Going through the footage, we are now able to see the immense amount of flora present within the boundaries acting as a carbon sink helping to reduce climate change.

With thousands of acres of primary rainforest still unprotected, we have a long way in the quest to save Sinharaja rainforest which provides habitat for 95% of the endemic birds found in Sri Lanka.

Please consider making a donation or becoming a member and help save these last remaining pristine rainforests for future generations!