Vandalism of Sinharaja Forest in Sri Lanka a World Heritage Site

The Sinharaja Forest in Sri Lanka is a National Heritage wilderness area declared by the National Heritage Wilderness Areas Act No: 3 of 1988 and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. Sinharaja is one of the primary, pristine forest reserves in the world and a study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2010 had ranked Sri Lanka in the fourth spot where the destruction of primary forests is concerned.

A proposed road 8 km long is to be constructed to run through Ensalwatte and Handapan Ella(Water Fall) where endemic fauna and flora are in abundance and also varieties of endemic amphibians are found. According to the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance, no construction should be allowed within 100 meters from the Sinharaja Reserve boundary line. However, this road will be constructed on the boundary line, a complete violation of the law. The purpose of the proposed road is to link Sabaragamuwa Province to the Southern Province, however, there are two roads already in operation for very long time through Rakwana in the East and Kalawana in the West, implying the proposal is targeting a few voters living in villages in the wilderness, for political gains.

If this proposed plan goes ahead ignoring the adverse environment aspects, most of the endemic species, fauna and flora will be extinct in the very near future. Among the amphibians that are found in Handapan Ella five are endemic to Sri Lanka. They are Philautus simba,Philautus papillosus, Polypedates fastigo, Philautus lunatus and Philautus procax. Sinharaja forest is rich in bio diversity, and adjoining forests too are rich in bio diversity. Apart from the amphibians, the forest community here too consists of endemic trees and plants. Apparently the vehicular road kill will be a primary cause for the extinction of forest population, which has survived for millenniums, once the road is constructed.

Please read the following articles published in journals pertaining to the subject.

http://sundaytimes.lk/110731/News/nws_17.html.

http://www.lankaindependent.com/2011/08/sinharaja-forest-reserve-desecrated-rajapakse-family-accused-of-destroying-national-heritage-for-personal-benefit/

So please sign this petition to put an end to this horrendous, barbaric act of Environmental Terrorism and become a guardian of this World Heritage treasure the Sinharaja Forest.