Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Need to implement the Management Plan as a priority
- Encroachments
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1997**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
A report on the state of conservation of this site was prepared in connection with the Meeting of the South Asian World Natural Heritage Site Managers, held in New Delhi, and Keoladeo National Park, during 16-19 January 1997. The total area of Sinharaja recognized as World Heritage is about 8,860 ha; The Sri Lankan authorities have extended the area of the Sinharaja National Heritage Wilderness Area to 11,187 ha to incorporate some fragments of 'pristine' habitats in the vicinity of the World Heritage Area. Sinharaja continues to receive assistance from NORAD for the implementation of the Sinharaja Conservation Project, with technical support from IUCN. Under the first two phases of the implementation of the management plan for Sinharaja, a range of activities, such as redefinition of the boundary, strengthening protection, increasing awareness, improving visitor facilities, buffer zone management projects, research studies and supporting community based organizations have been undertaken.
Action Required
The Bureau requests IUCN and the Centre to contact Sri Lankan authorities to obtain information on areas outside of the World Heritage Site, but within the 11,187 ha of the Sinharaja National Wilderness Heritage Area, to determine whether or not the State Party should be invited to consider increasing the total area of the World Heritage Site.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 BUR IV.B.32
Sinharaja Forest Reserve (Sri Lanka)
The Bureau was informed that the Sri Lankan authorities have increased the total area of the Sinharaja National Heritage Wilderness Area from 8,860 ha to 11,187 ha to incorporate some habitat fragments northeast of the World Heritage Area. Since the current size of the Sinharaja World Heritage area is 8,860 ha, the Bureau requested IUCN and the Centre to contact Sri Lankan authorities to obtain information on areas included in the extension in order to determine whether or not the State Party should be invited to consider increasing the total area of the World Heritage Site.
Sri Lanka
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
