by Nilma Dole
 The biodiversity hotspot of ‘Hiniduma Kandah’ or Haycock with
Sinharaja and Kanneliya make up an essential part of rainforest cover
that needs to be protected. At present, the rainforest grows in patches
due to development and encroachment so it is vital that reforestation
joins these together or else endemic species would have little chance to
survive.
Endangered animals like the Malabar Tree Toad and the Black
Microhylid need a proper nature-friendly habitat or else they will
eventually be extinct.
Recently, a survey was conducted to investigate the population
parameters of the Critically Endangered (CR) tree species in Kanneliya
and Haycock Forest Reserves.
 These species were identified as Critically Endangered trees
according to the red list published by the IUCN and Ministry of
Environment and Natural Resources in 2007.The species selected for the
study are Stemonoporus bullatus, S. kanneliyensis, Semecarpus obovata,
Diospyros oppositifolia, Memecylon macrocarpum.
The results show that a plant species, S. kanneliyensis is a dominant
tree species in its habitats at Kanneliya and Haycock Forest Reserves.
S.
bullatus and D. oppositifolia are dominant in the selected plots in
Kanneliya Forest Reserve.
S. obovata has second place of dominant species list in its habitat.
M. macrocarpum is a non dominant tree species and it is very rare in
Kanneliya Forest Reserve. Various organisations like Rainforest Rescue
International have regenerated private lands at Hiniduma and the
Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle has taken steps to do research on
conservation on Haycock forest.
However, people ought to know before destroying nature today we live
in peace and harmony because of Mother Nature and to develop it.
Pix by GWCS
|
