Protest in Mannar calling to protect natural resources

A protest was staged in Mannar on Wednesday calling authorities to immediately intervene in order to protect natural resources in the district from ongoing environmental exploitations which pose an existential threat to the livelihood of local communities. 

The protest organized by Caritas Valvuthayam, Mannar saw hundreds of youths, local civil society representatives, and locals taking part in the protest march.

The protest march led by the Director of Caritas Valvuthayam Rev Fr Anthon also handed over a petition that consist of ongoing environmental impact on various illegal activities such as illegal sand mining, bottom trawling by Indian fishermen, deforestation and destruction of protected mangroves to District Secretary of Mannar Mrs A.Stanley De Mel. 

Protesters held placards urging authorities to safeguard the marine and ecologically rich environment in the district under threat due to various development activities. 

The petition also raised concerns Windmill Project - Phase 1 that is currently underway by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) where at least  30 windmills were installed already in Mannar Island and it is being associated with sand excavation. 

"Some groundwork is underway to implement the second phase of the project to install more windmills targeting 380-400 GWh per annum on this small Island. This has been a very contentious issue and people's concerns should be considered in the plan. We urge all that this project be reviewed with the local participation to-avoid any impact on the public," the petition reads. 

Dumping waste at Vankalai birds sanctuary is also highlighted by the group saying those who do not understand the historical importance and its natural beauty are dumping their house wastes (polythene and plastic) in the sanctuary.  This sanctuary covers an area of 4,839 ha and consists of several ecosystems which range from arid-zone thorn scrubland, arid-zone pastures and maritime grasslands, sand dunes, mangroves, salt marshes, lagoons, tidal flats, sea-grass beds and shallow marine areas. (Reporting and Pix by Lambart Rosarian)