COMPARISON OF THREE NATURE TRAILS IN KANNELlYA MAS RESERVE FOR NATURE BASED TOURISM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BIODIVERSITY.

Abstract

The Kanneliya Forest Reserve and Nakiyadeniya Proposed Reserve in Galle District andDediyagala Forest Reserve in Matara District form continuous block of natural forest(KDN Forest complex) covering 11,146 ha in the south-west lowland hills. The KDNforest complex was logged by the Ceylon Plywoods Corporation between 1968 and 1988.However, Kanneliya MAB Reserve, one of the immaculate tropical rainforests, whichcovers 5305 ha of area, blended with majestic features is an ideal rain forest forrecreation. Its close proximity to other recreational sites adds to its overall recreationalvalue. Conservation management pian for KDN Complex (1995) also had identifiedKanneliya as a probable site for nature based tourism.

This study focused on evaluating the potential of the forest reserve for nature based tourism. Thefaunal biodiversity of the reserve useful for nature-based tourism was enumerated in 3 welldefinednature trails, which are already present. Three visits were made along these trails on threesuccessive dates. In each trail 10 inward and out ward journeys were made taking random timegaps. During these visits all the faunal species encountered were recorded. All the tree species andherbs along these trails at visible range were also recorded. The study covered one entire seasonintended to capture migratory animals also.

Results showed in Nature trail up to Narangas ella to Anagimala ella (NT!), 79 tree species werecounted with 63% of endemic species and 4 threatened species. In the Nature trail of Kabbalekanda 300m from MSL (NT2) 78 tree species were recorded with 67.9% endemic species and 6threatened species. Nature trail 3 in " Mala kanda" (Highest point 250m from MSL) NT3 treespecies were recorded with 65.6% endemic species and 4 threatened species.

At NTI 53 bird species were recorded among them 8 were endemic and 7 were wintervisitors, 31 butterfly species with 9 endemic, 9 reptile species with 3 endemic, 3amphibians with 1 endemic, 4 mammal species with 3 endemic and 5 fish species with 4endemic.

NT2 recorded 45 bird species with 6 endemic and 8 winter visitors, 30 butterfly species with 09endemic species, 8 reptile species with 2 endemic, 5 amphibians with 4 endemic, 5 mammals with2 endemic and 6 fish species with 5 endemic.

At NT3 46 bird species were recorded with 5 endemic and 7 winter visitors, 28 butterfly species08 endemic, 6 reptile species with I endemic, 2 amphibians with ! endemic, 5 manunals with Iendemic and 19 fish species with 12 endemic.

NT2 had the highest floristic diversity followed by NTI and NT3. In terms of faunal diversity NTIholds the highest value followed by NT2 and NT3. Birds and Butterflies showed the highestprobability in NTI followed by NT2. However, NT3 showed remarkably weakest probability.Therefore it can be concluded by way of observing biodiversity NTl & NT2 have the highestpotential.