‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) Mannar residents continue resisting ‘winds’ of change

People of Mannar have organised a protest titled ‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) aimed at voicing their disapproval against illegal ilmenite mining, wind power farms and prawn farms which they claim are destroying the natural balance on Mannar Island.     (Pix by Sakuna M. Gamage) 

“Mannar is not just a local issue, it is of global ecological importance, home to endangered biodiversity, rich marine habitats, and a critical node in the Central Asian Flyway, a migratory route for over 150 bird species. Large-scale industrial disruption in this area will have irreversible consequences, not only for wildlife but for the indigenous and minority communities”- Melani Gunathilaka Environmental Activist

 ‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) is the title of the ongoing protest staged by residents of Mannar which commenced on August 3. The protest has been staged against illegal ilmenite mining, wind power farms and prawn farms which are destroying the natural balance on Mannar Island. Mannar is considered to be the largest island made of sand which is in close proximity to India. Due to shortsighted decisions made during previous regimes, people of Mannar are facing an imminent threat of losing their basic rights in terms of land, access to water and other fundamental rights. 

Recently people of Mannar witnessed how windmill blades were being transported into Mannar. The Daily Mirror learned that a heavily guarded convoy of 6-7 vehicles transporting these blades were blocked by residents during three consecutive days. These windmills are being planned in addition to 30 wind turbines which already exist on Mannar Island. Residents believe that the 30 turbines are enough for an island that is home to an extremely fragile ecosystem. The ecological value of Mannar and its pristine biodiversity attracts many birds during the migratory season. But conservationists have observed how more wind turbines proposed along Mannar Island would kill many bird species due to the impact of wind blades. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to discontinue the proposed Adani Wind power Project it now seems like many private entities are ‘testing the waters’ to setup wind mills, destroying a pristine ecosystem in the guise of generating green energy. 

Residents of Mannar have been living amidst uncertainties and now, their only way of demanding justice is to stage an ongoing protest until their requests are heard by the authorities. “Already, during the rainy season, Mannar Island is submerged in water for 3-4 months making life miserable for all residents,” said a resident who had been protesting against the destruction caused to Mannar for a long period of time. “Children and women become vulnerable to various illnesses due to sewage leaks and poor sanitary conditions. This is our home and we have nowhere to go,” the resident further said. 

Impending disaster

People from Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Trincomalee have extended their support to the protest over the past few days and they plan to continue their struggle with hopes of convincing the government to avert an impending disaster. In a previous article titled “Halt and suspend disastrous projects!”: A plea from people of Mannar’ published on June 18, the Daily Mirror shed light on the extent of destruction caused to Mannar Island. Despite issuing a statement to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on how recent developments have challenged the very existence of residents and infringes upon fundamental human rights, there has been no sound response from the government on its plans to continue these projects. 

Taking things further, the youth affected by ongoing issues in Mannar launched an official protest song, also titled ‘Karunilam’ highlighting the gravity of the situation in a creative manner. The song sheds light on high pH levels in water due to ilmenite mining and various other repercussions they face due to these developments. They question the government’s deafening silence despite their ongoing silent struggle over the past three years. 

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, environmental activist Melani Gunathilaka said that proposed ilmenite mining and other development activities on Mannar Island must be urgently reconsidered. “Mannar is not just a local issue, it is of global ecological importance, home to endangered biodiversity, rich marine habitats, and a critical node in the Central Asian Flyway, a migratory route for over 150 bird species. Large-scale industrial disruption in this area will have irreversible consequences, not only for wildlife but for the indigenous and minority communities who depend on this fragile ecosystem,” she said. 

Gunathilaka further said that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently affirmed that states have binding legal obligations to protect people from environmental harm and climate change under international law, including the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. “This includes the duty to regulate private actors and prevent irreversible ecological damage. In addition to this, the precedent set in Nauru vs. Australia confirms that states can be held liable for destruction caused by resource extraction on vulnerable island environments. Sri Lanka, as a state party to multiple environmental treaties and human rights conventions, is duty-bound to protect the right to life, not just of people, but of nature itself. Approving projects one by one ignores the cumulative impact on Mannar’s ecosystems. A comprehensive, whole-island Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is essential. Anything less violates international norms and risks becoming an act of environmental discrimination, where minority communities are disproportionately burdened with pollution, displacement, and loss of livelihood. Mannar Island is not expendable. It is a sanctuary, for its people, for birds, for biodiversity, and must be treated as such under both national and international law,” she underscored. 

During his Presidential campaign, President Dissanayake assured that a NPP government wouldn’t ‘permit any destructive projects that would harm the environment’. He said that the party is committed to ensure that every project is carried out with the consent of the people and with minimal environmental impact. Yet, eight months after the NPP government assumed power, people of Mannar are left in the dark as they see no end to the ongoing destruction of Mannar Island. 

Mannar is considered to be the largest island made of sand which is in close proximity to India. The picture shows some protesters throwing their weight behind ‘Karunilam’