We do so many things within our power to secure our tomorrow. Buy insurance, maintain savings, procure land, build houses, schools, comforts…. the list is endless. But, all would become insignificant if we don’t have a conducive environment to live in. People invest millions on finding outer space atmospheres where man can live, but hardly do anything to conserve the one place where people already dwell.
 Ven. Balangoda Methananda Thera |
Among the many hindrances to the longevity of our natural resources and the environment which sustains us, let’s focus on the role of mini-hydro Power Plants.
These power generating outlets although seen as a renewable energy source, entail many adverse effects on the eco system.
“The eco system loss is incalculable and irreversible. We pay a high price, for what, in return?” questions Kusum Athukorala, chairperson of Water Partnership, a national organization for water management.
Mini Hydro Plants (MHP)
The process of a mini-hydro power plant requires water accumulated at one point and travels in a steep direction sent through the turbines for power generation. The water quantity and the height in which the water drops, reflects on the measures of power that in return is generated. When water is channelled into the spill a minimum can be released for other purposes.
Hydro plants have come under heavy criticism mainly for their likelihood to damage the eco system. Several organizations such as, the Rainforest Protector’s Organisation, Sri Lanka Water Partnership, Environmental Foundation Limited, People’s Movement on protecting Handagiriya Ella (Handagiriya Ella surakeemey Janatha Vyaparaya) and Ruk Rakaganno (tree society) joined hands in bringing to the attention of the masses the damage that the mini hydro plants cause.
Starting up MHP;
Laws, by-laws, circulars and much red tape that curtails the exploitation of MHPs have been put in place. It starts with IEE (Initial Environmental Examination) and many other approvals needed by even the Divisional Secretariat and the Grama Sevaka. But, with a lack of mechanism to monitor the compliance of the laws or regulations, they have become ineffectual.
Saman Perera, of Rain Forest Protectors of SL claims, the system is foul and compliance is not effective to the point that financial benefits are made available for all involved in the process.
“We can say for sure the environmental impact assessments or initial environmental examinations are not properly carried out. Whatever assessments that are issued are heavily tampered with,” he explained.
MHP surrounding Handagiriya Ella
Handagiriya Ella, located in Balangoda Handagiriya village dates back eons. And, steps are being taken to construct a Mini hydro power plant based on the Handagiriya Ella amid people’s outbursts against it.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Balangoda Meththananda Thero explained the gravity of damage that can be caused. “A mini-hydro power plant requires that the normal water stream/current is stopped and water is sent through a pipeline. The foremost effect on the environment is this stoppage of the natural water course. This in turn impacts the natural eco system established over the years, based on this water stream. It then affects the animals and plants that sustain from this water,” the Thera said.
When the course of the water is directed to the power plant away from its natural course the people are also affected. Their normal day to day consumption of water is reduced. People living downstream don’t get sufficient water for drinking and for other basics like cooking, washing, etc.
Many power plant contractors try to refute this argument by saying that farmers are not affected as water is subsequently directed towards farming lands. “The water is naturally purified when the water travels for long distances, and whatever sediment chemicals that are mixed in the water is extracted from it due to the friction. If this doesn’t happen the PH level of the water will be at an unhealthy level, and hence affect farming,” the Thero went on to say.
These hydro power plants are constructed in and around forest reserves. Trees of great value are cut down destroying the natural structure of the land. Excavations for constructions kill the existing vegetation in catchment areas. Water sources are disturbed and thus results in drought. The drying up of water sources are a big issue that we would have to face in the future.
“Our first involvement was with the Handagiri Falls project, saving Handagiri Falls. I can vouch for our villagers that they are vehemently against these projects. Samanala Wewa is not a small scale project, and this has created many issues,” said Balangoda Meththananda Thera.
According to the Thera, when the Samanala Wewa project started 25 years ago, one of the main rivers in Sri Lanka, the Walawe dried out. But, there’s a leak close to the Samanala Wewa tank, due to which the Walawe fills up again. This water runs up until Duwili Falls. By the time the water reaches Duwili Falls it has travelled about 4-5 kms and is refined in the process.
Due to the Samanala project many water springs and sprouts dried up. There were 18 springs and all dried up. As a result of the uproar they concreted the tunnels and were able to revive only 5.
“Balangoda is an area that belongs to the wet zone but now it indicates characteristics of a dry zone,” the thera said.
MHP utilizing Anda Dola
 Construction of the concrete dam at the Anda Dola mini hydro power station to divert direction of the water fall |
This is located in the vicinity of the Dellawa forest reserve. Although it claims to generate 770Kw, Saman Perera of Rain Forest Protectors of SL claims that not even half of it is generated.
“We can generate that much of electricity using solar power for the fraction of the cost that has been dumped into the Anda Dola MHP Project.” he said.
Environment Foundation Limited releasing a case study on the Anda Dola MHP Project states, “the Initial Environmental Examination clearly recognizes that the weir site is surrounded by the Dellawa Forest Reserve which has been identified as part of the contiguous forest of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. It signifies that the ecological importance of Dellawa is nearly equal to that of Sinharaja.”
Around 200 families based on the Anda Dola will face difficulties as water is not guaranteed during a dry spell, which will impact the livelihood of the people who depend on tea and other home grown crops.
“What we must understand is that people living in these villages are not rich. They depend on agriculture. For whatever they grow in their own lands to sustain themselves, water is essential. Water is part and parcel of their lives, as it should be, and their basics are manipulated for someone to fill their pockets” says Meththananda Thera. ‘Ruk Rekaganno’ an environmental organization, which also has voiced displeasure on MHP projects is working to bring about awareness of the destruction caused. Speaking to the Sunday Observer, its Director Kamini Meedeniya Witharana says that people are cut off from their water sources.
“The mini hydro are in the highlands and they interrupt the river. Then there is very little water for the people’s consumption and cultivation. When the jungle is interfered with, the animals mainly, elephants lose their habitat. When there is a waterfall there is a spray and then the jungle is fed by that spray. If you build a tunnel and bring the water down, the jungle would die. It then affects the bio diversity. These MHP projects have cost us the fresh water fish,” she explained. Kusum Athukorala who has been working tirelessly in bringing about awareness says, the electricity generated from the minihyrdo plants are negligible. “ We have to calculate what we gain out of these projects against what we lose. Obviously, what we lose nature wise would be way above what we gain and is irreversible,”she said.