Yagirala Field Visit - 4th Year Special Degree Students

Images of the field visit held on 23-25 at Yagirala

Fact file of the Yagirala Forest Reserve

Area: 2004.9 ha

Latitude and Longitude: 6 21 to 6 26 N and 80 06 to 80 11 E

Elevation: Ranges from 10 - 260 m above MSL

Highest peaks: Katukithulana and Pemaragala

Climatic Zone: Wet Zone

Precipitation: Over 4000 mm annually mostly from May - September

Temperature: 27 to 28.5 degrees Celsius

Biodiversity: Flora
Families – 62, Genera – 120, Species – 152
Major species – Anarcardiaceae, Dilleniaceae, Pinaceae,
Euphorbiaceae, Diptercarpaceae

Biodiversity: Fauna
36 species of mammals with 4 endemic species
Several kinds of fresh water fish species can also be seen in the watercourses of the forest

View of the pine plantation

Mahogany under-planted with pine

University students at a field class

Hiking through the forest

Description of the Yagirala Forest

Yagirala Forest Reserve is situated in the Low Country Wet Zone of Sri Lanka, which apperas to be a "true tropical rain forest". Since its located at a proximity of 90 km from the Capital Colombo, it provides an opportunity of having rain forest experience with minimum travel time.

Moreover, Yagirala Forest contains many places with religeous, cultural, historical and environmental values which allow the visitors for climbing, walking, bird watching, swimming etc.

Although, this forest is managed by the Sri Lanka Forest Department, a block of 40 ha was given to the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for promoting education and research. Since then Sri Jayewardenepura is the only University to maintain a forest for the education purpose in Sri Lanka.

A panoramic view of the forest

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura built a Research Centre in the Yagirala Forest Reserve to facilitate the personal who have the research and education interests about this forest. This "Bungalow Type" venue is also used as the Visitor Centre for the people stays overnight who prefers to experience the life in the rainforest with the hospitality of the villagers in the area..

Forest inventory, Mensuration, Forest Management, Wildlife management practicals are conducted in this forest for the University students and also traininig and environmental education sessions are held for the school students.

Wonderful work of the nature

Bird's eye view (above: after rains and below: in a drier period)

Bentota River - a border of the forest