Mannar wind power project and environmental damage

Environmentalists have reacted strongly against the proposed wind power project in Mannar, a hotspot for migratory birds, warning over a million birds will be affected annually if the project goes ahead. 

Senior biodiversity scientist Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda said the wind power project in Mannar would have serious environmental implications. He warned that if the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) fails to adhere to the related environment impact assessment (EIA) submitted by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), they would seek legal recourse.

The Board of Investment (BOI) last week approved India’s Adani Green Energy Ltd., (AGEL) $ 442 million initiative to set up two wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn with the Mannar project expected to operate at a capacity of 250 MW.

There is no doubt that wind power is clean energy and Sri Lanka needs to lean toward more renewable energy projects and lessen its dependency on coal and other forms of energy that are harmful to the environment. There is the need to harness more wind and solar power not only to stop the damage to the environment but also cut the cost of power generation and give consumers relief from the high rates they pay for electricity at present. But when such projects are approved, attention must be paid to the location for such projects and the harm they would cause to the environment. In ecologically sensitive areas such as Mannar, going ahead with a wind power project could have a serious impact on the millions of birds that migrate each year to escape the cooler climes in the Northern Hemisphere.

Going by past experiences, we can say that EIAs have been largely ignored by successive Governments eager to start big projects. The Mattala airport caused massive loss of jungle cover and resulted in the loss of habitat of both animals and birds and the repercussions can be seen today with elephants, peacocks, etc. wandering into human habitats. To free up land for the military headquarters in Akuregdoa, Battaramulla, more than 50 acres of land was cleared and much of its thick jungle that had stood as an oasis in an area getting increasingly urbanised. Today in place are concrete structures with the unique wildlife in this wetland done irreparable damage.

The news in the past few days has been regarding the heatwave that has left people sweltering and exhausted. New guidelines have been issued for schools to ensure that children do not expose themselves directly to the sun due to the risk of sunstroke. Globally temperatures are on the rise and with each passing year Sri Lanka like all other countries must prepare to face the wrath of nature.

Much of the predicament we face now vis a vis the environment is caused due to the damage done by humans. In Sri Lanka forest/tree cover has dwindled rapidly with land being freed up for human settlements or for massive projects. The city of Colombo is fast becoming a concrete jungle and the suburbs too are joining the frenzy of building high rise buildings, but little is done to replenish the environment.

It has been proven that trees help to bring down temperatures by several points and this is one solution to keep our cities cooler in the tropical heat. In a country that is blessed with ample rains, if fast growing varieties of trees are planted, in 10 years the cities can provide shelter for its inhabitants while at the same time protecting the remaining tree cover. More trees will mean the people can breathe cleaner air.

So, while environmentalists do their part to prevent the damage a wind power project in Mannar would do to the ecology of the area, each individual has a part to play by planting a few trees wherever they live and caring for them. Nature does not discriminate and if we do our part, all citizens can enjoy living in a country blessed by nature.