Support the Rainforest Guardians in Sri Lanka

Rainforest Protectors Trust got off to a great start in the new year by identifying and visiting several potential private forest lands that are suitable for acquisition towards its "Rainforest Conservation and Education Center" project as well as the "Protected Buffer Zone for Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest" project. During early January details of suitable lands were obtained and field visits carried out later that month. Three priority lands were identified ranging from 2 acres to 12 acres, all either directly bordering Sinharaja Rainforest or within close proximity. All identified parcels of land are also located within close proximity to the 30+ acres of existing forest lands currently under conservation by Rainforest Protectors Trust, thus helping to create a contiguous protected buffer zone. The existing conservation lands remain protected with the assistance of Rainforest Guardians.

Due to recent rapid rise in inflation, prices of land in the area has spiked up. Rainforest Protectors Trust is doing its best to negotiate and obtain lands at the best possible price. However, our current funds fall well below the amount needed to secure these lands.

Saving these last remaining tracts of tropical rainforest is crucial to ensure the success of creating a contiguous protected buffer zone which will be regularly monitored and protected by Rainforest Guardians.  Success of our projects depend on supporters like you, and we hope you will continue to donate and encourage others to do so. In the years ahead, you can look back and feel happy for your contribution to make the planet a better place for all living things.

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

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. We are also excited to onboard a new Rainforest Guardian starting next month to ensure the forest lands saved by Rainforest Protectors Trust remain protected.

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