Kanneliya – Dediyagala – Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Biosphere Reserve (කන්නෙලිය-දෙදියගල-නාකියාදෙණිය ජෛවගෝල රක්‍ෂිතය)

55 years ago1 month ago04 mins

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Size	5,139 ha of Core area and 5000 ha of buffer zone
Main attractions	Hiking Trails

Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya or KDN is a forest complex in southern Sri Lanka. The forest complex was designated as a biosphere reserve in 2004 by UNESCO. The KDN complex is the last large remaining rainforest in Sri Lanka other than Sinharaja. This forest area has been identified as one of the floristically richest areas in South Asia. The forest complex is situated 35 km northwest of the city of Galle. The rainforest is a major catchment area for two of the most important rivers in southern Sri Lanka, the Gin and Nilwala Rivers. This biosphere reserve harbours many plants and animal species endemic to Sri Lanka.

Kanneliya – Dediyagala – Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Biosphere Reserve is a major catchment area for two of the most important rivers in the region, the Gin and Nilwala Rivers, which feed numerous rivers and streams. They drain into the Indian Ocean near the world-famous coral reefs of the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary. There is a high proportion of endemism among the 234 identified woody tree spaces, with 141 being endemic to Sri Lanka. Totally there are 301 plant types that can be found at the Kanneliya forest reserve. Some 133 faunal species with 59 birds. 14 amphibians 32 butterflies, 7 snakes, 10 mammals. Several conservation programs were held in Kanneliya for the project of this forest. Along with the new conservation initiative, this forest seems to have a reasonable regeneration and rich biodiversity as mentioned above.

Though vehicle traffic is not allowed, several hiking treks have been developed. These treks range from easy to moderate and each one covers some unique locations situated inside the forest.

Cave Trail – distance: 1.5 km, time 1 hour
Anagimala Ella Trail – distance: 2.3 km, time 3 hours
Giant Creeper (Yodha Puswela) Trail – distance: 2.3 km, time 3 hours
Naranga s Ella Trail – distance: 5.2 km, time 6 hours
Giant Nawada Tree Trail – distance: 5.2 km, time 3 hours
Kabbale Mountain Trail – 5.5 km, time 6 hours – considered the most difficult trek of all.

All trails start from the Kanneliya information centre at Udugama, Galle.

Kanneliya - Dediyagala - Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Forest Reserve

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Map of Kanneliya – Dediyagala – Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Biosphere Reserve and Other Places of Interest

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Travel Directions to Kanneliya – Dediyagala – Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Biosphere Reserve

Route from Colombo to Kanneliya	Route from Galle to Kanneliya
Through: Southern Expressway – Pinnaduwa Exchange – Udugama Road Distance: 150 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions: see on Google map	Through : Udugama Road Distance : 42 km Travel time : 1 hour Driving directions: see on Google map

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