Programme to protect Maragala Mountain Range

An environmental programme was launched to protect the Maragala mountain range, a highly sensitive environmental zone in the Monaragala district. Extensive environmental damage had been caused to the mountain range by setting fire and by haphazard clearing. The programme had given priority to a tree planting campaign

It was organised by the Collective of Citizen Organizations to Protect the Maragala Enviromental Zone, the “Sobadahama” Environmental Foundation and the Organisation to Protect Wellassa Heritage with the help of the Forest Conservation Department, Central Environmental Authority,

More than 7,000 families depend on the water resources in the Maragala mountain range for drinking purposes

District Secretariat, the British Council, the Divisional Secretariat and schoolchildren.

Representative of the Collective of Maragala Citizen Organisations Gopal Krishana said Maragala mountain range was a highly sensitive environmental zone rich in bio-diversity and water resources.

“More than 7,000 families depend on the water resources in the Maragala mountain range to meet their requirements of drinking water. It is sad that unscrupulous individuals often set fire to the forest. Our organization decided to prevent the ongoing wanton destruction of the forest reserve and to provide it adequate protection. We are pleased to find that several government institutions and the British Council have extended cooperation,” he said. Range Forest Conservator M.P.C. Lakmal and Additional Government Agent Chandana Lokuhewa were present at the inaugural ceremony at Maragala Sri Gowrie Vidyalaya.