Ever heard of a place where you can walk among rare trees, spot exotic birds, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a shy loris? Well, buckle up because we’re about to take you on a journey to the IFS Popham Arboretum-Sri Lanka, one of the island’s best-kept secrets!

What’s an Arboretum, Anyway?

Before we dive in, let’s clear up something: what the heck is an arboretum? Simply put, it’s a botanical garden focused on trees and woody plants. Think of it as a living museum of trees. Cool, right?

The Story Behind IFS Popham Arboretum

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s dry zone, about 5 km from the ancient city of Dambulla, lies the IFS Popham Arboretum. This 14-hectare wonderland wasn’t always the lush forest you see today. In fact, its story is pretty inspiring!

From Barren Land to Thriving Ecosystem

Back in the 1960s, this area was nothing more than a degraded plot of land, stripped of its natural vegetation. Enter our hero: Mr. Sam Popham, a British tea planter with a passion for botany. He saw potential where others saw waste and decided to do something extraordinary.

With the help of local experts and a whole lot of patience, Popham began planting native tree species. His goal? To recreate a natural, dry-zone forest. Talk about a green thumb!

Visit IFS Popham Arboretum with Serendipity Tours

Exploring a bit of fascinating natural wealth is part of every Sri Lanka trip. As a tour operator, we included many places such as IFS Popham Arboretum-Sri Lanka, rain forests, national parks, and botanical gardens in our Sri Lanka vacation itineraries. However, IFS Popham Arboretum-Sri Lanka is rarely coming in Sri Lanka land tour packages, may because it is a bit far from Colombo and other popular tourist places. IFS Popham Arboretum-Sri Lanka is not offered as a standalone trip from Colombo, However, few guests opt to visit it on their way to the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.

The Organisation of Ruk Rakaganno (tree protectors) is in charge of managing IFS Popham Arboretum, a forest. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of these two words is ‘A place devoted to the cultivation and exhibition of the rare tree; a botanical tree garden. Popham arboretum is a classic example of forest regeneration on the island.

Where is IFS Popham Arboretum, Sri Lanka?

The forest is located in the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka; it is just less than an hour’s drive from Dambulla Cate temple. IFS Popham arboretum is a forest of valuable hardwood species in the country.

Why is it worth visiting?

In a world where natural habitats are disappearing fast, places like IFS Popham Arboretum are more important than ever. It’s not just a nice place to visit; it’s a living example of how we can restore and protect our natural world.

So, next time you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, make sure to add this green gem to your itinerary. Trust me, your Instagram feed (and Mother Nature) will thank you!

Remember, every visit supports the ongoing conservation and research efforts. So you’re not just having a great time; you’re contributing to something bigger. How cool is that?

Now, get out there and explore the wonderful world of IFS Popham Arboretum. Happy trails, nature lovers!

It has collection specimens such as ebony (Diospyros ebenum), satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Ceylon oak (Diospyros chloroxylon), Jack tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus), and ironwood (Mesua nagassarium). This valuable forest provides a tranquil and peaceful environment amidst valuable tropical trees.

Drive to IFS Popham Arboretum

One can easily reach this forest along the wide road from the world heritage sites of Dambulla and Sigiriya. The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is popular for the number of historical sites and natural wealth in the region is largely forgotten. It is very rare to visit important places such as IFS Popham Arboretum or Ironwood Forest. The visitor centre of IFS Popham Arboretum was designed by the popular architect Jeffrey Bawa, the internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan architect.

The entrance to this valuable site costs a fraction of the money that one spends for the entrance to nearby cultural sites. Even though the cultural triangle attracts hundreds of thousands of people every month, very few people were visiting this valuable secondary forest.

According to the information, the trend has changed during the past few years, suggesting that people are becoming more enthusiastic about nature. With the illegal timber harvesting, some of the valuable hardwood species such as ebony have become extremely rare in the environment. But fortunately, places like IFS Popham Arboretum come in handy to see the living specimen of these rare trees.

Fauna of IFS Popham Arboretum

The forest harbours around seventy different species of trees. The forest has created a very attractive environment for a large number of animal species. It harbours many species of wild and rare creatures. White-spotted mouse deer (Moshiola meeminna), dry zone slender loris (Loris tardigradus tardigradus), and Sri Lankan giant squirrel (Rtufa macroura) are just a few of the animals that call it home. Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus), Blue Tailed Bee Eater (Merops philippinus), and Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostrifs) are the most common birds here.

History of IFS Popham Arboretum

The area where it is situated in the dry zone was covered with thick jungle about 50 years ago. But due to the demand for wood and expanding human settlement, the forest cover was reduced to thorn shrubs. Sam Popham, a tea planter and Second World War sailor, founded IFS Popham Arboretum. He graduated from Cambridge; he was a nature lover and highly interested in the beautiful forests of Sri Lanka. He started to develop this secondary forest as an experiment known as the ‘Popham method’ in 1963.

The method he followed was simple but proved to be successful. The shrubs were removed in the initial stage, and the forest was allowed to grow its own. But the saplings of trees were procured from the outside. The native species of trees grew well even in the dry weather that prevailed in the area and needed minor supervision. Human intervention was needed only in a situation such as a wildfire or destruction caused by an animal such as cattle. It has developed into a fully grown secondary evergreen dry zone forest within a short period of time.

After about fifty years and all the hard work, Popham returned to his native country (England) due to ill health. His ecological treasure was handed over to IFS (Institute of Fundamental Studies); it was further expanded under their supervision before being handed over to the society of Ruk Rakaganno in 2005. According to the naturalist, it is very hard to find a collection of valuable trees like here and it is a very significant ecological achievement of Mr Popham.

The Institute of Fundamental Studies Takes the Reins

In 1989, the Institute of Fundamental Studies (now the National Institute of Fundamental Studies) took over the management of the arboretum. They’ve continued Popham’s legacy, turning the site into a haven for biodiversity research and conservation.

Why IFS Popham Arboretum is a Big Deal

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, it’s a bunch of trees. What’s the big deal?” Well, let me tell you, this place is special for a whole bunch of reasons!

A Living Laboratory

Scientists from all over the world come to study the unique ecosystem here. It’s like a real-life experiment in forest regeneration and biodiversity conservation.

Home to Rare and Endemic Species

The arboretum is home to over 200 species of plants, many of which are rare or endemic to Sri Lanka. It’s like a Noah’s Ark for trees!

Wildlife Galore

It’s not just about plants. The arboretum is teeming with wildlife.

Over 80 species of birds
Numerous butterflies and insects
Mammals like the grey slender loris, fishing cat, and barking deer

Carbon Sink and Climate Change Fighter

All these trees? They’re not just pretty to look at. They’re actively helping in the fight against climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

What Can You Do at IFS Popham Arboretum?

Alright, enough with the science talk. Let’s get to the fun stuff! Here’s what you can do when you visit:

Take a Guided Nature Walk

Knowledgeable guides will take you through the arboretum, pointing out interesting plants and wildlife. It’s like a real-life version of your favourite nature documentary!

Go Birdwatching

With over 80 species of birds, including endemics like the Sri Lanka grey hornbill, this place is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Night Walks

For a truly unique experience, try a night walk. This is your best chance to spot nocturnal animals like the adorable, slender loris.

Photography

Whether you’re a pro or just love snapping pics for the ‘gram, the arboretum offers endless photo opportunities.

Research and Education

If you’re a student or researcher, the arboretum welcomes scientific studies. Who knows, you might discover a new species!

Best Time to Visit

The dry season (May to September) is generally the best time to visit. But hey, in a tropical country like Sri Lanka, be prepared for some rain any time of year!

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Insect repellent
Water bottle
Camera
Binoculars (if you’re into birdwatching)

Entrance Fees and Guided Tours

There’s a small entrance fee, and guided tours are available for an additional cost. Trust me, the guides are worth it – they know their stuff!

Conservation Efforts and How You Can Help

The IFS Popham Arboretum isn’t just a tourist spot; it’s a crucial part of Sri Lanka’s conservation efforts. Here’s how you can help:

Respect the environment: Stay on marked trails and don’t disturb the wildlife.
Spread the word: Tell your friends about this amazing place!
Donate: The arboretum accepts donations to support their conservation work.

Table of Contents