This article is about Kanneliya, a forest reserve in southern Sri Lanka. This forest corridor once has been linked with Sinharaja rain forest but has aparted later. This forest was named as a forest reserve in the year 1934 by no 8262 gazette paper. This forest which owns about 5305 hectares is categorized as a secondary forest. Those who visit should first come to Labuduwa, Galle. The start point can be reached by a vehicle after travelling about 14 km and tickets are issued at the entrance. After that you can walk into the forest with a guide and you have to pay a reasonable amount to forest department for that. The payment for the guide will be changed according to the route that you choose. Here are the different routes that you can choose.
Cave Trail - 1.5 km distance within 01-hour period of time.
Ella Trail - 2.3 km distance within 03-hour period of time.
Giant Puswela Trail - 2.3 km distance within 03-hour period of time.
Giant navan̆dagasa Trail - 5.2 km distance within 03-hour period of time.
Naran Trail - 5.2 km distance within 06-hour period of time.
Kabbalē mountain trail - 5.5 km distance within 06-hour period of time.
In 2005, when I travel the fees of Guidance for the routes having maximum three hours of period and maximum distance of 2.3 kilometers was 250 rupees per. Fees for every other routes Rs.500 of minimum fee was charged. In addition, the prize of the ticket was Rs, 30..
The forest has been named a “Man and Biosphere Reserve “by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Conservation. The forest consists of 5108.2 hectares of closed forest , 168.4 hectares of open forest and 29.3 hectares of cultivated forest. once there has been a pine cultivation for use as timber and also timber had been taken for made of thin wood timber, But now such things are prohibited legally.
It is said that the ground is consists of Khondalite rocks which is mixed with Charnockite rocks. In this forest, large number of endemic plants and animals can be seen. But if you want to see animals and birds, you have to behave yourself without making noise. Okay, now let’s move on to our itinerary into the forest.
On our way to the entrance of the forest from Labuduwa, we saw a cultivation of oil palm which is used to extract oil. This plant belongs to the Palm category. Though the tree looks like Palmyra palm tree, the sprig of fruit look different Fruits are much smaller than the palm fruit.
Soon after entering from the main gate, we were able to see a Lizard. After observing it we walked little bit slowly because one of our fellow member was unable to walk fast because he had faced to a operation. Then we come to the cave and it was scary to enter the cave because of the darkness of the inside. It was said that once the cave was a kingdom of bats and by the time we visit bat population had been decreased by a considerable amount. After visiting the cave, we went to see the Giant “Puswala“ . On our way we observed “Gondiwa” plant and large number of “Bandura” plants which is the famous Parasitic plant. Also we were able to see the vine called “Gonikee vela” whis is medicine plant. The guide explained that the “Gonike vela “ is medicine for the pain of the body and people who are beaten by the police are given the boiled water of “Gonike vela”
The Giant “Puswala” has a great history. It is said that the giant “Puswala” was there from 500 years. The stem has divided into two parts at the beginning.Now a large area has owned by the vine. If observed well, several ending points of the vine can be noticed.
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Palmyra palm tree
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Palmyra palm tree
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Kangaroo Lizard
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Inside the Cave
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Inside the cave
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Bandura
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Bandura
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Gondiva
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When we travel passing the giant “ Puswala” , we saw a Green Vine Snake considered as poisonous bit sitting on bushes. I should mention here there is mithe telling that this creature jump to eye when it see someone. The guide acted immediately and caught the creature so that we can observe it. We asked him that isn’t this creature is toxic and he said now they have got used to it. Also he showed us toxic plants called “ Maha Badulla”, “ Kaha Badulla” and “ Kabara Badulla”. He explained that if we touch those plants that area will be subjected to ulcer. He said the even walking under “ Kabara BAdulla “ plant is dangerous. Also he introduced us the five types of “ Keena” plants called “ Domba Keena” , “Guru Keena” , “ Walu Keena” “ Batu Keena” and “Napath Keena”. Meanwhile, a snake called “ Haldanda” was creeped fast from “Miwana” plant.
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Kabara Badulla
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Kaha Badulla
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Maha Badulla
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Green Vine Snake
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Ella was there to look out anagimala. Got to know the unknown story about the coming season Venivel plant. It's Venivel plants in two different male and female as clearly different between the two species that pollinate take place should be near the two plants. It was the Navy to see the plants and the offspring only once. See śākayakut Dorana amputate destruction was once alive sidurakut trigger the ad made a big oil. The Dorana oil, creating safety and shiny temples Art hear that or get natural. See if Ella ekakoṭa there anagimala fatigue disappeared News in our mind.
We left that place to visit the “Anagimala” Ella. On our way we saw “ Weniwal” plant and heared a story that we hadn’t heard before that the “Weniwal” plants have two separate species for male and female. To pollination process two species of male and female should grow close by. Also we saw a “Naav” plant which offspring only once per life time. A died “Derana” tree was found with a big hole which had been used to extract oil. This “Derana” oil had used for painting works at temples to make the surface of the painting shine and for protection of art. When we reach “Anagimala” Ella our weariness was disappeared
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Dead Dorana Tree
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Anagimala Falls
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Anagimala Falls
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Anagimala Falls
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Anagimala Falls
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Anagimala Falls from the top
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For the rest
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Nau Tree
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Venival Female tree
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Venival Male tree
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Though it is possible to climb to the top of the “Anagimala” Ella during dry season it is very dangerous to try the same in rainy season. We climbed the waterfall to half way and came back because of our hunger. So we ate some biscuits with Banana at the bottom of waterfall. It was interesting to see that a crab was ran after catching a piece of Banana that we threw and we were curious what it is going to do next. Then I caught a prawn so that those who haven’t seen a one can observe it. But I didn’t kill it.
The tiny streams starts in this forest creates “ Kanneli Ela” , “ Nannekitha Ela “ and “ Udugama Ela” which feed “Gin Ganga” . Also the “ Hulandawa Ela” which flows through the reservation feed the “Nilwala Ganga”. We saw the largest “MIwana” plant in the Sri Lanka in this forest.
We were able to enjoy the tour a lot because we didn’t use alcohol or cigarettes. Also we didn’t harm the nature. You can also visit this forest and enjoy it. But do not destroy it and preserve it for future generation.
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