Mannar environmentalists demand end to wind power & ilmenite projects there

By Jagath Kanaheraarachchi

Environmentalists have demanded an immediate halt to the government’s plans to implement the proposed wind power project in Mannar by India’s Adani group and ilmenite extraction project by an Australian company.

Protect Manner’s Environment (PME), an environmental organization based in Pesalai, claimed that while they are supportive of renewable energy, the proposed wind farm will have a devastating impact on fishermen and farmers.

“There are about 70,000 people in Pesalai. The government doesn’t see us. They only see land they can sell. The government is desperate for money. We were affected by war for three decades, now thousands of Indian fishermen are stealing our fish. We have no leaders to protect us,” Father Francis Gnanapragasam said.

He added that already there are about 30 wind turbines in Mannar and they are already affecting the fishermen.

“There is a continuous vibration from these. When Adani establishes more wind power turbines we will be in deep trouble,” he said.

Meanwhile, A. Sugatar of PME said that wind turbines make continuous noise and that the Adani group is planning to establish 21 such turbines close to human settlements.

“How will people live with constant noise distracting them?  To establish a turbine they dig 50 feet into the ground. This could lead to groundwater pollution. They will also destroy mangroves to build them. The turbines are on the path of migratory birds coming to Sri Lanka to winter here. How many of them will die?” he asked.