Maragala declared as Environmentally Protected Area

The Central Environment Authority has taken steps to protect the identified areas as environmentally protectable, as per National Environment Act No 47 of 1980 and the authority vested on the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Accordingly the Talangama Wewa and its surrounding marsh lands, Gregory Wewa and the surrounding marsh lands, Knuckles and Muthurajawela have already been declared as environmentally protected areas.

Accordingly, the Moneragala Maragalakanda has been declared as the fifth Environmentally Protected Zone. Chairman of the Central Environment Authority Udaya Gammanpila has disclosed at a media brief held at Central Environment Authority that Hantana mountain, the Bolgoda Ganga and Walawwatta Waturana marshy forests are also under consideration to be declared.

When declaring the Maragala Kanda region as an Environmentally Protected Zone its bio diversity, archaeological values, water availability to supply water to Moneragala area, its natural beauty and natural mountains have been taken into consideration.

A Management Committee will be formed comprising Moneragala District Secretary as the Chairman, to oversee the after-effects of the development projects implemented in this environmentally protected area.