Galle's Biodiversity

by Nilma DOLE

New species of amphibians have been discovered in the Galle rainforests

Illegal encroachment is destroying Galle’s rainforests

The Wildlife Conservation Society, Galle has recently concluded a report titled 'The Study of Faunal Diversity in the Galle District' which had revealed some valuable insights of the biodiversity in the southern part of Sri Lanka. "In a short span of 6 months, we were able to not only spot various endangered species that need protection being endemic in Sri Lanka but we also discovered some new species too", says President of the Society, Madura De Silva.

Among the species that were discovered but not identified as yet, were three potentially new species of freshwater fish. "Two species belong to the Genus Devario and one belongs to Genus Lepidocephalichthys", said Madura. More taxonomic and molecular studies are being done to publish scientific papers on these species. Six species of amphibians, mostly frogs have also been discovered from the Kanneliya, Kottawa and Kombala Forest Reserve in Hiyare.

However, many endangered species like the 'Ratnadvipia Karu' land snail and the purple faced leaf monkey who makes the Galle rainforest their home have no place to live because of encroachment for agriculture, garbage dumping and illegal brewing of liquor.

Rare and endangered species like the Southern Duffer (Discophora lepida) live in the Kottawa-Kombala (Hiyare) Forest Reserve and the natural habitat of the endangered Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) in the Ambalangoda, Elpitiya and Balapitiya area is being replaced by many commercial plantations of cinnamon and tea. Conservation of Haycock forest is important because it is the only home for the critically endangered amphibian species the Whistling Scrub Frog (Philautus nemus).

New species of freshwater fish have been discovered in the Galle rainforests

"If we don't give these endemic and endangered species a helping hand, then we will lose these Mother Nature's gifts forever" said the President of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The project was funded by the Biodiversity Secretariat.