Green Capitalism Exploits Mannar Island's Ecosystems and Lives

Sacrificing for Profit: How “Green” Capitalism Exploits Mannar Island's Ecosystems and Lives

Mannar Island (மன்னார் தீவு), located in Sri Lanka’s North-West Coast is primarily made up of sand and dunes, known to share its captivating island with terrestrial, marine as well as avian fauna with vibrant ecosystems, consisting of 72,000 people are being caught in the crosshairs of a troubling trend: Greenwashing. While the world needs solutions to the climate crisis, there's a growing concern that the rush for sustainable developmental projects in developing countries is turning a blind eye to devastating consequences. This article explores the exploitative practices of Mannar's unique ecosystems - the lives they sustain and the various threats they face for profit under the guise of sustainability.

The island of Mannar is a wetland biodiversity full of potential and interconnectedness, the relationship people hold with other ecosystems and animals sharing this island is slowly losing the only thing they’ve known their whole lives and call home.

The war's end in 2009 brought a new set of struggles for the North-West and North communities. Segregation, seclusion, and discrimination persist, fostering distrust even to this day. Witnessing repeated injustices has made many hesitant to engage with law enforcement, fearing racial bias and discrimination, a pervasive belief echoes, “Is it because of my race?” is one of the primary concerns they raise. When Mahinda Rajapaksa came into Power, people in the north recalled a popular phrase: "If they’re loyal to us, we’ll be loyal to them.” This implies that fair treatment from the government hinges on the community's unwavering allegiance to a political figure.

Similar to other post-war initiatives, forced land acquisition of private lands in Mannar by the Navy or Army and converted to Protected Areas or development drives of large-scale and medium-scale projects and corporations is observed. While presented as forms of solutions benefitting the nation, in reality, neglecting the true impacts it pose on local communities, wildlife, and the delicate ecosystems they depend on.

For many years, communities and organisations in support have peacefully resisted (i.e. protests, strikes, etc.) in various ways and forms within their capabilities, however, a growing concern is the increasing false narratives and misinformation. Due to COVID-19, and the economic crisis, these issues exacerbated their existing problems.

Adding to another layer of complexity is the looming threat of climate change. When we look into Anthropogenic Climate Change in the context of Sri Lanka, the current concern of climate change is growing yet dealt with disproportionately, furthermore, the actions and justice within decision-making processes raise concerns about the direction of current efforts and future ramifications.

Sand Mining 

One primary issue is the impact on the fragile ecosystems of Mannar. Mannar Island is particularly made of sand and dunes which have been collected through currents over many years, forming this island, protecting the island from erosion, storm surges, and high waves, meanwhile offering resilience to climate change-induced impacts; increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather patterns such as heavy rainfall and flooding (Marambe et al., 2015; Punyawardena et al., 2013).

Mannar island is also known for its rich mineral sand resources, especially Ilmenite, an iron-oxide mineral (FeTiO3), a crucial ore of titanium (a strong lightweight metal), offering a wide variety of industrial uses such as aircraft parts, paints, pigments, plastics, sporting and medical parts (Thambiliyagodage et al., 2021; Sibum et al., 2005) and has been the keen interest to a particular Australian Sand Mining Company named “Titanium Sands Ltd.”, where their website can be found online.

For over 5 years, Private companies and entities have quietly acquired private lands rich in ilmenite deposits. This process has been shrouded in secrecy and manipulation. Before the land-acquiring, many tests and evaluations have occurred under pretenses and false narratives such as ‘testing and monitoring the water levels’ or people forcibly entering, and coercing land owners to keep the lands barren and undeveloped as they are economically beneficial for future foreign investors and other developmental projects and promising employment opportunities. However, the reality for many has been far from such indications.

“As of now, they have mined 3,500-4000 places (50,410 hA). These companies mine up to 40-50m below the surface, yet our water remains good only up to 3m deep, and once you go below 9m it’s no longer good. Do you know what happens when you Mine a Sand Island? We (the island) have two wells and tube wells for drinking purposes, once sea water comes up and combines with this water, it makes it undrinkable for any human or animal and ruins any cultivation, it’s gone, it’s dead. The Government listens to the lies that these private companies tell them without doing their research or investigations.” says Jeremy Liyanage, Founder of Bridging Lanka.

Pulmoddai, located in the East, is another incident highlighting the destructive nature of sand mining for Minerals, causing more harm and erosion than good for the region and its ecosystem by filling sand from another. The situation in Mannar raises many concerns, according to the Global Sand Mining Bureau, they were not aware of the incidents happening in Mannar and no permits were provided for such activities. However, Titanium Sand Ltd Company, which is operating overseas, has been secretly mining for many years through various ways of false promises and paying selective individuals to make their bids, according to Mr James Jesuthasan, a Member of the Mannar Citizen Committee.

“Continuous Mining would be the tipping of Mannar (Island) and its’ end,” says Mr James.

Many people had fallen victim to the false promises and narratives by the private companies, which resulted in many selling or leasing their lands, falling into unemployment, working as labourers, taking micro-loans and getting into debt, their food security became their main concern, causing them feeling helpless to act or think towards protecting their future or its impacts. These companies, which targeted private lands (around 90%), left behind a trail of destruction – clear-cutting vital Palmyrah trees and abandoning mining dredges. The devastating 2022 floods were a wake-up call to many. Locals witnessed the true cost of unchecked exploitation causing a wave of resistance to emerge with communities successfully shutting down some private mining operations, yet many others are forming under the guise of various other projects.

As a geopolitical target, many foreign countries have shown interest in Mannar; including Australia, China, South Africa, and India. However, the Sri Lankan government's endorsement of this exploitation displaces citizens, jeopardises their future, and destroys ecosystems causing an imbalance in the island's natural defences.

Wind Turbines

First and foremost, let us understand what Wind Turbines are; devices made up of many components that convert kinetic (wind) energy into electric energy through the rotation of the blades, with the lifespan of a typical wind turbine being 20-25 years with routine maintenance every 6 months. The complexities of developing Wind Turbines need careful consideration, however, if this is implemented with little consideration of the consequences to its surroundings, the meaning of “Sustainable Development” becomes moot and meaningless.

The urgency of climate change and a shift away from fossil fuels has opened many doors for ventures claiming to be Green Solutions, revealing a disturbing trend of “greenwashing” - where profit trumps genuine sustainability. In Mannar, this is exemplified by the large-scale Wind Power Projects implemented and proposed for further implementation. While this is presented as a clean energy solution, the project raises serious concerns, meanwhile violating fundamental rights.

As of now, there are 30 Wind Turbines installed along a 12.5km stretch on the coast of Nadukkuda (Phase I), which began its operations in 2014 and was officially commenced in 2020 now known as the Thambapavani Wind Farm (A typical installation process takes 1-2 years for a 100MW Farm, according to EDF Energy). This project was implemented by the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Ministry of Power & Energy while Vestas Asian Pacific took its development roles with a loan obtained by the Asian Development Bank. According to its poorly evaluated Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), it did not specify many concerns nor include consultation details with the locals that resided there. The total area utilised for this Wind Power Plant is not available.

Vestas Wind Turbines in Mannar

“Ever since these Turbines were erected, we have switched to drinking from bottled waters, due to the countless dredging and this included blocking 14 natural water channels that were once important to many ecosystems including our residents” said Mr. Jeremy. Incidents of flooding were not common in Mannar, the last incident dated back to 1964, however, it came as a shock to many when they began experiencing floods (lasting for 3 months) in 2022; destroying vegetation, and aquatic habitats, affecting livelihoods and damages, diseases, and disruption of lives, a disaster now expected to occur annually. The fish have been low due to these turbines' vibration and shadow flicker, said a fisherman in the area.

Front of Wind Turbines, Nadukkuda Beach.

“They clear out our trees and mine for all this sand to create space for these turbines, but where does the sand go after?” pointed out Mr James. Bringing back Mannar identified as being one of the mineral-rich soils, brings the concern of whether this project carries underlying motives.

Present

“Mannar is considered a critical wintering site of the Central Asian Flyway by Wetlands International and Birdlife International and recognised as a wetland of international importance by the Ramsar Convention. The Central Asian Flyway covers 30 countries of Asia and Europe and the southernmost point of it is Sri Lanka. It also provides breeding habitats for eight species of seabirds, many of which are listed as critically endangered in the National Red List of Threatened Species. Sri Lanka is a signatory nation for the United Nations Convention of Migratory Species. Hence, we have a global responsibility to protect about 15 million birds of 250 species visiting Sri Lanka. Mannar alone gets about a million birds representing 150 species.” (Prof. Sampath Seneviratne 2024, in a Groundviews Article)

Environmental officials overseeing the project assessing the damage caused by the previously installed Wind Turbines reported roughly 400 birds were found dead after colliding with wind blades in a year and a half of its implementation. Although initially, the residents were not told of these impacts and feared if they opposed this, the rest of the country would not support them and are now experiencing the layers of destruction these projects are causing.

Currently, Phase II of the Wind Power Project is being initiated by SLSEA (Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority) and this project has been granted to the Adani Company, an Indian Multinational Conglomerate (which includes sea and airport management, electricity generation and transmission, mining, natural gas, food, weapons, and infrastructure), this group has been endorsed by the government officials within Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector meanwhile an increase in geopolitical presence in the Indian-Sri Lankan Ocean are observed, especially after India credited $4 billion during the economic crisis in 2022.

Future

This project means to establish 52 Wind Turbines planned for a capacity of 250MW, that have 96-metre blades that rotate at about 100km per hour, and each has been allocated 7 acres per Turbine (170mx170m) which raises many concerns. The Adani Group has been accused of many wrongdoings, including reckless environmental damage, corruption, bribery, unfair business practices and abuse of human rights (Adani Archive: https://adanifiles.com.au/#adani-group ).

The locals of Mannar share a special bond with its island, “This land belongs to the people that have lived and cared for many years, it is known as the Golden Goose here. This island could be used as a Tourist Area but the Government doesn’t cater to that, what is development then? If the livelihood of the people and the ecosystems are destroyed, would you call it development? If there are many alternate solutions and areas, why here? Go tell that Mannar is owned by India ” Alan Cruz; Fishermen in Mannar.

Arul Seeram Miranda, chairperson of the fishing community in Mannar, mentioned that these lands were either leased or sold for higher prices and were offered job opportunities which neither jobs nor compensations for the destruction were met. He said many people had fallen into taking loans and selling their private lands and jewellery to survive various issues beyond their struggles (COVID-19, economic crisis, etc.) Many residents felt that due to these projects brought in by the Government, they were obliged to not react negatively and speak up about their concerns. “Since the Government began their developmental projects, has been the beginning of our misery” they pointed out.

As of now, there have been several cases filed against this project by many environmentalists, organizations, and lawyers (Center for Environmental Justice; Wildlife Nature Protection Society; Environment Federation Limited; etc) including a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Supreme Court against the Adani Green Energy Group due to many concerns and the lack of transparency and accountability regarding the lease of these lands; no information or compensation were offered for the affected landowners in the Mannar Island.

In a recent report (23.06.24), the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has refused approval for Adani Wind Power raising concerns. Key documents, including details on the MOU agreement with India, approvals, environmental impact assessments and licenses by the CEA, were not included in the Ceylon Electricity Board's (CEB) submission. The PUCSL has requested the CEB to provide this missing information, along with the results of a study on how the project will connect to the national grid and operate effectively.

Vidathaltivu Nature Reserve

Due to its ecological significance, Vidathaltivu was identified as needing protection by the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and declared a Nature Reserve by Gazette 1956/13 in 2016, covering 29,000 hectares. This is the third largest Marine Protected Area, close to the Vankalai Sanctuary, consisting of all three blue carbon sinks; Saltmarshes, Seagrass & Mangroves. This serves as a crucial carbon sink and helps mitigate the impacts of climate change and its rich biodiversity is home to countless species, supporting livelihoods and offering protection to our coastlines from disasters.

However, this Nature Reserve has been under constant threat due to the evolving of Monocultural Farming Mechanisms, in this instance, Aquaculture Farming. The Shrimp Farming Company, named ‘Taprobane Seafood’ was established in 2016 for shrimp farming and has initially supported the local fisher communities, however, when these fisherfolk identified and raised concerns regarding effluent (wastewater) being seeped towards the Sanctuary without any treatment, causing many aquatic deaths and environmental degradation, their lives were made difficult to deal with. “We saw 3 million deaths of fish in 2019, we recorded and put it up online, but we immediately got fired and we were trapped in debt and felt helpless to take any actions” said a fisherman. It is also important to note, under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 Section No. 2, “No person shall discharge industrial or domestic effluent directly or indirectly to Sri Lanka waters.” In 2023, the seafood company and Direct Source Seafood USA entered into a partnership to produce, market and sell Sri Lankan seafood in the United States.

Currently, an extraordinary gazette was issued de-gazetting a section of the Vidathaltivu Nature Reserve signed off by Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi for Aquatic Industrial Park lacking essential approvals and public notice of the gazette. Vital details of area, extent, and justification, have not been disclosed to the public until recently she mentioned 476 acres were the allocation in a news article. Under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) it is mandatory to implement an ecological assessment before any part of the natural reserve can be de-gazetted, which was not obtained in this process. Multiple concerns raise the true objectives and motives for this decision, undermining transparency, the right to information and accountability and paving the way for Green Capitalism through Greenwashing.

Indian Trawlers & Fisherfolk of the North

“Indian Trawlers are also impacting the lives of Mannar community, Government says their hands are tied. It doesn’t seem like the law enforcement is there to support the locals,” says Jeremy.

Fishermen in Pesalai, one of the primary fishing areas in the North, stated that a piece of fishing gear costs Rs. 50,000, and they need about 15-20 of them, another fisherman mentioned his gear to cost roughly Rs. 10,000, however, that is only the cost of one part of a net. This shows the various costs based on the nets and gears. They go to the sea around 6-7 pm and come back 5-6 am. The presence of the navy is there but they have not offered any protection to the local fishermen, the interference and the technology of their engines (Indian fishermen) are making them feel helpless.

“Is this enough?” The mother from a family whose livelihood depends on fishing asked, showing their days’ worth of catch.

The Indian Trawlers and engines are highly advanced in technology, bigger in size and numbers compared to the local fishermen’s (plastic or fibre) boats and presence, and act in disruptive ways such as ruining or pulling away the fishing gears and leaving.

Sri Lankan Fishing Boats, Pesalai Beach

Trawlers are highly advanced in technology and catch their fish disrupting theirs. Bottom trawling - a fishing practice that herds and captures the target species, such as groundfish or crabs, by towing a net along the ocean floor, furthermore, destroys the natural seafloor habitat by essentially rototilling the seabed, affecting countless bottom-dwelling plants and other living beings such as corals and nurseries.

Mr. Yogaraj Cruz, the chairperson of Mannar Fishing Committee raised many concerns that the fishing community faces. “When we go out to the sea, it’s dangerous out there, full of threats and risks, but our sea is sacred to us, and we are blessed with many variety of fish within proximity. But when mining and these developments began, the fish grew distant from the coast. These Indian fishermen catch all fish in the areas even the young, and due to this, the production of fish is declining. We used to work 6 days a week but because of the increase in disruption, our off days are growing. We’re spending too much time repairing and tending to our boats that were damaged in a collision with the Indian boats.”

It is also important to highlight that families of the fishing community are affected heavily, where women are taking the lead roles in families in tending to the house and caring for their children, therefore are subjected to working multiple jobs working in labour and in pre-and post-harvest, and due to the lack of available transportations they walk mostly, and put through army checkpoints. Many of the children, especially during the pandemic dropped out of school to support their families due to the unaffordability of resources, “we can’t even afford bicycles” said a female representative of the community.

“If we protect this island, everyone in the country can prosper,” said Steven Cruz, Sub-Committee Member of Mannar Fishing Community.

Final Thoughts

It is undeniable of Mannar’s ecological importance and rich tapestry of life - from millions of migratory birds travelling the Central Asia Flyway (a critically important ecological corridor protected by international conventions like RAMSAR), to the third-largest protected areas hosting various marine ecosystems classified as ‘Blue Carbon’ and its unique and diverse flora face are under threat and underscores its importance. Sri Lanka, a signatory to various International Conventions has a responsibility to uphold its commitment to protecting such vital ecosystems.

The exploitation not only destroys the environment but also violates the fundamental rights of the island's inhabitants. Access to nutritious food sources dwindles with depleted fisheries, and clean drinking water becomes a luxury as saltwater intrusion increases. The proliferation of bottled water creates plastic waste, further burdening the fragile ecosystems.

Mannar Island seems to stand at a crossroads. Will it become a beacon of genuine sustainable development that respects its environment and people? Or will it succumb to the exploitative practices of Green Capitalism? The future of Mannar, and countless ecosystems like it, depends on it.

The exploitation extends beyond economic hardship. The influx of outsiders and disruption of traditional livelihoods have fueled a surge in drug problems, jeopardizing the future of island communities. This insidious trend destroys not just the environment but also the very fabric of Mannar's society.

The "green" or “developmental” projects raise serious questions. The hypocrisy in environmental laws that allow such exploitation and degradation doesn’t seem to truly benefit the lives dependent on its protection. Can a project that devastates ecosystems and disregards the livelihoods of local communities truly be considered sustainable? Green capitalism, in its current form, seems to prioritize profit over genuine environmental protection. Local consultations, a cornerstone of responsible development, appear to be absent. Have their concerns even been acknowledged in reports?

However, the current trajectory threatens this delicate balance. The destruction of dunes and Palmyrah trees not only disrupts ecosystems but also removes natural sources of nutritious food and traditional building materials for local communities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other sources demonstrate the impossibility of a sustainable “Green Capitalism”. This is largely due to many corporations using this term as a scapegoat for short-term economic benefits meanwhile causing environmental degradation.

Impending Climate Change impacts of sea level rise include permanent flooding (inundation) of low-lying areas and increased frequency, extent and depth of tidal inundation. Sea level rise will also cause most sandy beaches to recede (where beaches will move further inland) and erode. The activities conducted for such projects seem to mostly exacerbate the issues these communities face such as non-inclusion, segregation, discrimination due to race or caste, unfair treatment, and direct and indirect impacts of extreme and climate changes.

The future of Mannar hinges on a fundamental shift. We must move beyond greenwashing and embrace true sustainability – one that respects ecological integrity and prioritizes the well-being of those who call this island home. While past actions may not reflect perfect choices, it's crucial to recognize the limitations faced by local communities. Access to resources, information, and support often influences decision-making, and these benefits haven't always reached everyone equally.

It should be noted, that consideration of Intergenerational Equity is vital here, to ensure that decisions made today do not compromise the well-being of future generations, which takes into account the importance of considering long-term environmental consequences.

Throughout the discussions and experiences, the layers and depth of issues arise further probed, and they could be distressing, controversial or differing stories. However, the underneath layers of problematic issues make it so that we can never have a full story or picture. Thus, it is not our job to come to any conclusions but to support the marginalized and most vulnerable with their story, along with protecting our ecology, and the rights of all living beings and the future generations that depend on its survival and its intricate balance.

Sources & Further Reading

Adani’s Wind Power Project in Sri Lanka Hits Rough Weather https://thediplomat.com/2024/06/adanis-wind-power-project-in-sri-lanka-hits-rough-weather/

Australian company’s multibillion sand mining project mired in Mannar protests https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240616/news/australian-companys-multibillion-sandmining-project-mired-in-mannar-protests-560380.html

All you need to know about wind power https://www.edfenergy.com/energywise/all-you-need-to-know-about-wind-power#:~:text=Wind%20farms%20can%20be%20built,need%20replacing%20during%20this%20time.

BOI Mannar Project https://investsrilanka.com/mannar-phase-ii-100-mw-wind-power-project/

Govt. de-gazettes part of Vidataltivu Nature Reserve https://www.ft.lk/news/Govt-de-gazettes-part-of-Vidataltivu-Nature-Reserve/56-761718

Heinz Sibum, Volker Günther, Oskar Roidl, Fathi Habashi, Hans Uwe Wolf, "Titanium, Titanium Alloys, and Titanium Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a27_095

Info on Ilmenite https://geology.com/minerals/ilmenite.shtml

How Long Does It Take to Install a Distributed Wind Turbine? https://blog.windurance.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-install-a-distributed-wind-turbine

Mannar Wind Power Park (300 MW) http://powermin.gov.lk/power/index.php/portfolio/mannar-wind-power-park-300-mw/#:~:text=The%20Project%20comprises%2030%20numbers,400%20GWh%20of%20electricity%20annually.

Mineral Sands https://www.mineralcommodities.com/products-sales/mineral-sands/

Nature-Based Solution along High-Energy Eroding Sandy Coasts: Preliminary Tests on the Reinstatement of Natural Dynamics in Reprofiled Coastal Dunes https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/12/2518

Proposed Wind Farm in Mannar is a Death Trap for Migratory Birds, Professor Sampath Seneviratne

https://groundviews.org/2024/02/09/wind-farm-in-mannar-is-a-death-trap-for-migratory-birds/

Regulator refuses approval for Adani wind power project https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240623/news/regulator-refuses-approval-for-adani-wind-power-project-561878.html

Taprobane Seafood Company issue Taprobane Seafood Company issue (youtube.com)

Taprobane Seafoods and Direct Source Seafood USA announce strategic partnership https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Taprobane-Seafoods-and-Direct-Source-Seafood-USA-announce-strategic-partnership/44-749180

Thambiliyagodage, Charitha & Wijesekera, Ramanee & Bakker, Martin. (2021). Leaching of ilmenite to produce titanium-based materials: a review. Discover Materials. 1. 10.1007/s43939-021-00020-0. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356914040_Leaching_of_ilmenite_to_produce_titanium_based_materials_a_review

The Adani Files: https://adanifiles.com.au/

Vidataltivu in danger again https://ceylontoday.lk/2023/10/26/vidataltivu-in-danger-again/

Vedithalathivu and the Lankan ecosystem Vedithalathivu and the Lankan ecosystem | The Morning

Vidataltivu Nature Reserve https://lk.chm-cbd.net/protected-areas/vidataltivu-nature-reserve

Vidattaltivu village fisherfolk prepare to oppose mangrove land grab Vidattaltivu village fisherfolk prepare to oppose mangrove land grab | Print Edition - The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka

Date: 24.06.2024

Written By: Kasumi Ranasinghe A.

Designation: Environmental Psychology Consultant, Member of The Biodiversity Project