Conservation of Maragala mountain range and its watershed area

MONERAGALA: The Maragala mountain range consists of a range of mountains namely Maragalakanda, Aliyawatta, Geelaonekanda, Monarakale, Obbegodakanda Kibulawela, Sirigala and Kollonwinne.

The height of this mountain range is about 3670 ft. above the sea level. The annual rainfall in the area is about 2000 mm.

The special feature of this mountain is that the water received during the rainy season get stored in the surface area and the underground water table and released during the dry season. As a result, the area remains under wet climate throughout of the year. Therefore the humidity of the area remains at a higher level even during the dry season.

Faunal diversity found within the mountain area also represent the uniqueness of the Maragala mountain range. Leopards, black monkey, barking deer and several endemic birds are also found in the area. Endemic fish species reptiles, amphibians are also common in the area. Most of them are unique to the area and are identified in the IUCN red book as threatened species.

The herbal values found in wild also prevail at a higher level. Even the drinking water that the community gets from the mountain area is also naturally treated with medicinal values. If this gets dried up or degraded the consequences also have to be borne by the community living in the area.

Some parts of the mountain area are covered with huge rocks. This may have archaeological value, because a sign similar to Sripada is also found in the area. However, the watershed values found within the area itself is sufficient to value the natural wealth of this mountain range.

At present using this resource, more than 2000 families are supplied with drinking water and small scale water projects have been constructed to supply water to Obeygoda, Galabedde, and Wedikumbura villages. In addition there are more than 300 acres of paddy fields, irrigated from this water resource. The nature lovers-environmentalists want this preserved.