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Senior academics and conservationists express fears over Pidurutalagala slopes Source:Island A group of top level academics and environmentalists have written to President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressing grave concern about the degradation of the Mahakudugala Conservation Forest located in the uppermost on the slopes of Pidurutalagala, the country’s highest mountain. “The numerous waterways that begin on its steep sides provide water, all year round, to the communities that inhabit the eastern escarpment of the Central Highlands, and to the rich biodiversity its forests host, high in endemism,” they have said in an open letter. The text of their letter: “You have openly expressed your commitment to the protection of the watersheds of Sri Lanka,recognizing their vital importance for slowing, cleaning, filtering and storing water by allowing it to absorb into the ground. This process improves water quality, reduces risk of flooding, reduces risk for invasive species to establish and increases resilience within ...