Spotlight on Pundaluoya Mixed sentiments by villagers for proposed hydropower project

Batepeliya pond

 Weli Pokuma

• A dam across Pundaluoya is to be erected under the hydropower project much to the anxiety of Pundaluoya Enviromental Organisation
• Representatives of the environmental organization pointed out that the area earmarked for the project was a sensitive environmental zone 

The proposed minor hydro-power scheme at Kumbaloluwa in Pundaluoya has been gathering momentum with residents of the area divided in opinion regarding its environmental concerns.  

A dam across Pundaluoya is to be erected under the project much to the anxiety of the Pundaluoya Enviromental Organisation that expresses concern about possible environmental issues that would surface after implementing the project.  

Representatives of the environmental organization pointed out that the area earmarked for the project was a sensitive environmental zone having seven waterfalls and several ponds rich in bio diversity and that it should be declared a protected forest reserve.   

The President of this environmental organisation Kotmale Sumedhananda Thera said that the project was to be inaugurated in 2010, but was suspended due to public protests. Edodawela waterfall and Wewahena waterfall have been identified as those that should be listed under the protected waterfalls in Sri Lanka. “Earlier the project wasn’t approved by the Central Environmental Authority in view of protecting the two waterfalls. Now, this authority had excluded Diyahena Waterfall in an attempt to implement the project,” said Sumedhananda Thera  
However, they have no alternative for Egodawela waterfall. The people in Kadadorapitiya and Kosgahapathana areas are innocent to the ill-effects of the project. The worse affected are the people in Kirindiwela, Kumbalouwa, Edodawela, Medakanda, Niyamgandara, Bogahawela, Halpola,Maldeniya, Meethagama, Katarandana, Kalapitiya, Hedunuwewa, Kottunugoda, Weerasekarapura, Paluwatta and Thibbotukanda, according to Sumedhananda Thera.  

No approval 

“Nine waterfalls and natural ponds are located within a short distance from Kadadorapitiya to Wewahena. The circumstance that led to the decision to implement the project- which had not received the approval of the relevant authorities earlier- is wanting transparency. We are quite displeased about this state of affairs. Any institution that gave the green light to the project hasn’t taken into consideration the need to protect the highly sensitive environmental zone rich in bio-diversity. It is in question how the Central Environmental Authority justifies its decision to grant approval to this project,” Sumedhananda Thera queried.  

However, Chief Incumbent of Kadadorapitiya Sri Meghananda Temple Madovita Gnanarathana Thera had a different opinion when commenting on this pressing issue.  

There have been mixed sentiments expressed by villagers for the proposed hydro-power scheme at Kumbaloluwa in Pundaluoya. Here a group of villagers are seen staging a campaign in support of the project 

He said that three other minor hydropower projects are already functioning in close proximity to the site of the proposed project. “The environmental organisations were moribund inactive when those three projects were implemented. Pundaluoya waterfall flows into Kotmalaoya River without being used for any gainful purpose. I have been in Kadadora area for 49 years, and I was pleased to find that the waterfall would be harnessed to generate power. Not a single person visits the waterfalls in the area covered with thick jungle and is not accessible. People in Kadadora area are longing to see the implementing of the project. They are prepared to help in its activities. The proposed hydropower project is the only way to tap the potentials of this waterfall,” Gnanarathana Thera said.  
Rivinmore Hydro Company is implementing the hydropower project and its Coordinating Officer Chaminda Punchihewa said that the project was to be implemented in 2016 to generate 5.2mega watts to the national grid, but it was suspended due to the public protests.  

“The project site as planned earlier was the low lying area of Wewahena Bridge. The Central Environmental Authority pointed out that the waterfall with a place for bathing is located near the bridge and that the project site should be shifted to the upper region of the bridge. In 2021 we forwarded a fresh project report with a plan to implement the project in Kadadorapitiya area. The project has been approved by 13 out of 14 institutions. The project is at the final stage,” said Punchihewa.

We are quite displeased about this state of affairs. Any institution that gave the green light to the project hasn’t taken into consideration the need to protect the highly sensitive environmental zone rich in bio-diversity. It is in question how the Central Environmental Authority justifies its decision to grant approval to this project 
- Kotmale Sumedhananda Thera, President Pundaluoya Enviromental Organisation

The environmental organisations were moribund inactive when those three projects were implemented. Pundaluoya waterfall flows into Kotmalaoya River without being used for any gainful purpose. I have been in Kadadora area for 49 years, and I was pleased to find that the waterfall would be harnessed to generate power. Not a single person visits the waterfalls in the area covered with thick jungle
-Madovita Gnanarathana Thera, Chief Incumbent of Kadadorapitiya Sri Meghananda Temple

However, Kotmale Divisional Secretary Nadeera Lakmal said that the relevant authorities should put their heads together and resolve the issue. He pointed out that the project had been disapproved of earlier.  

“The request for approval for the project in 2016 had been rejected by then Director General of the Central Environmental Authority K.H. Mutukudaarachchi. He pointed out that the area between Wewahena Falls and Egodawela Falls was a protected environmental reserve. The Divisional Development Committee held a similar decision and refused to grant approval. Now a fresh project report, avoiding the two waterfalls, has been forwarded.  

“Nine waterfalls are located within a distance of one and half kilometres from the project. Another seven unnamed waterfalls with natural ponds are located in the area. These waterfalls are rich in bio-diversity, several types of fish and aquatic plants endemic to the area. A species of fish, endangered with extinction and identified as Gerra Celonesis has been found in these ponds.   

“I have received protests against this project from the residents of the area and the environmental organizations. Several institutions have granted approval after individual inspections. However, it is imperative that they should put their heads together and carryout a collective survey and take a concerted decision. I have made this request to the Central Environmental Authority repeatedly, but without any positive response. The area causing environmental damage should be avoided and the project should be implemented with minimum environmental damage,” Lakmal said.   

Meanwhile a group of villagers in Kadadorapitiya area staged a silent protest in front of the Nuwara Eliya Central Environmental Authority office on Wednesday (August 28) demanding the implementation of the project.
They maintained that the project would not result in extensive environmental damage as alleged. They pointed out that the people in Kadadorapitiiya area would be the beneficiaries of the project and that the venture would boost the economy of the area.