Lakdasun Trip Reports Archive » Visit to Hiyare Forest reserve and wildlife Conservation Center

Year and Month	November 2011
Number of Days	One day (just spent 2-3 hours)
Crew	4 (Myself, Wife, Daughter & My Brother)
Accommodation	My Parent’s home
Transport	KIA Sportage 4WD
Activities	Leisure, Photography, exploration
Weather	Excellent. Bright Sunshine
Route	Kadawatha -> Kottawa -> Pinnaduwa, Galle via E1 -> Akmeemena (stayed ay my parents place)> Next day to Hiyare Head towards Galle Udugama/Yakkalamulla Road and turn left from Hiyare junction.
Tips, Notes and Special remark	A low country tropical rain forest, Hiyare has a large man-made lake within its boundaries Endemic species recorded at the Hiyare rainforest include the Sri Lankan Green Pigeon, Ceylon Rose, Two-spotted Threadtail, Black Ruby Barb, Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper and the Sri Lanka Purple-faced Leaf Monkey The Forest Department manages one part of the rainforest while another section- the reservoir catchment area is administered by the Wildlife Conservation Society under the aegis of the Municipal Council of Galle To visit the rainforest for educational or research purposes, contact the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle through the Municipal Council, Galle
Related Resources	Hiyare’s little haven – Private efforts aid conservation at pristine rain forest Wildlife conservation society Galle – Hiyare Wild animals get their own hospital
Author	Lalithe
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Visit to Hiyare Forest reserve and wildlife Conservation Center

I had been looking forward an opportunity to visit the Hiyare Forest Reservoir since long time as I have never got a luck to visit this place even if I have born and grown in Galle up to 20 years of age. Still I am regretting to miss that great chance to visit this during my early stages. This located just 10Km away from my Parents place.

Hiyare Forest reserve is located just 18 km (about half an hour’s drive) Galle town. The 55 acre reservoir was built in 1911 to supply water to the Galle city and was only decommissioned in 2002. In 2003 the reservoir and 600 acres of the surrounding low country tropical rainforest was turned over to the Municipal Council of Galle. One part of Hiyare is managed by the Sri Lankan Forest Department and the Wildlife Society of Galle administers the reservoir area.

Route Map (Click Image to Enlarge)

In addition to this there is a Biodiversity Breeding Centre and an Animal Rescue Programme, which provides medical treatment and rehabilitation for injured wild animals, they are treated, rehabilitated and then released back into the wild.

Among its many activities, the Society also carries out educational workshops and conducts regular classes to interested parties.

Some of the injured and rescued wild animals under medical treatment.

Purple -faced Leaf Monkey (injured)	Eagle
Baby Slender Loris	Baby Slender Loris
Crested Serpent Eagles with damaged wings	Forest Eagle-Owl
Black Naped Hare	More Black Naped Hare
Injured Pangolin – Hide & Seek	Hog Deers
Hog Deers	Baby porcupine
Baby porcupine different pose	Natural forest surrounding Hiyare Reservoir
Natural forest surrounding Hiyare Reservoir	Natural forest surrounding Hiyare Reservoir
Natural forest surrounding Hiyare Reservoir	.
Natural forest surrounding Hiyare Reservoir	Natural forest surrounding Hiyare Reservoir

Boats are ready for a ride

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