Destruction of Ritiagla

One of the fountains in Rilagala

Ritiagla yaya (mountain range) located in Beliatta divisional secretary area in Hambantota district demarcates the boundary between Matara and Hambantota districts. Possessing predominantly a wet zone climate and fauna, this mountain range is unique for a number of reasons. One is that it remains an important water store for the region. Another is that it is located shoulder to shoulder with the Maha-yaya forest reserve, into which it extends. Also it is the home to a number of fauna and flora, some in fact face extinction.

The first attempt at quarrying Rilagala began in March 2016 when test blasting of the rock was undertaken by a road building company. The reason was to supply the boulders and metal for the construction of the Matara – Beliatta stretch of the Sothern Expressway extension. However, this found immediate stiff opposition from the villagers. The momentum of public protests reached a peak in July 2016, when the Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies (CENS) and Rilagala Yaya Surekeeme Ekamuthwa (Coalition for protection of Rilagala Yaya) along with the villagers held a press briefing at the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) Colombo to explain the Colombo based media what was going on 200 km South of the capital city.

“Through that we brought the Rilagala issue to the forefront of the country’s environment agenda”, quipped Ven. Wekadawela Rahula Thero of the CENS.

Various activities ranging from pocket meetings, legal clinics to street dramas were held to make the villagers aware of the consequences of the destruction of Rilagala. The issue received a new twist when it was taken up by the Southern Provincial Council on 25 April 2017, where a resolution was unanimously passed acknowledging the importance of this mountain range to the environment and to the lives of the people in Hambantota district and thus, prohibiting its destruction. In this regard it drew extensively from the report compiled by the CENS on the ecological significance of Rilagala yaya. However, following a lull of many months the destruction has reportedly started again in Rilagala.

“Now they have cleared the forest and have brought all the machinery needed to commence the quarrying activities”, said Ven. Rahula Thero.

Commenting on the availability of alternatives for the supply of metal for the expressway construction Thero said, “There are number of quarries in Hambantota district from which they could obtain metal if they want. But the company wants it from Rilagala to reduce the transport cost and to maximize its profits”.

Governmental Agencies – Partners in crime

He further said, “They have also obtained the necessary permission from the governmental agencies like Geological Survey and Mining Bureau (GSMB), National Building Research Organization (NBRO), Wildlife Conservation Department, Forest Department, Water Resources Board, Archeology Department, Survey Department, Urban Development Authority, Agrarian Development Department and Divisional Secretariat Beliatta to go ahead with their sleazy business. But because of the public resentment they had to take a step back. They have refrained from blasting the rock thus far”.

Commenting on the overall conduct of some governmental agencies Ven. Thero said, “It is a tragedy that the governmental agencies that are there to safeguard the environment and the social life of people now do just the opposite teaming up with the companies”.

Maha-yaya forest was declared a forest reserve during the British colonial rule, in 1940. It extends over 339 hectares at present. The massif Rilagala that immediately adjoins it is within its catchment area. It stands 784 feet tall, and is the third highest zenith of Hambantota district. Rilagala sits together with three other massifs namely, Kongaslanda, Murungagala and Kotigala in the same mountain range.

Ecological value

Rilagala is especially important for its water retaining potential. Its water stores help in maintaining the water table and feeding the streams and waterways flowing from the mountain range. It also feed eight fountains, namely godellagoda ulpatha, madola ulpatha, magawatte ulpatha, eldeniya ulpatha, wewa kumbura ulpatha, ittagalara ulpatha, puhulgathara and thennahena. It provides water for the drinking and irrigational needs of the adjacent villages, namely Punchi aranya, Maha aranya, Thamba gal-lella and up to Yatiyana.

Among the fish species found in the streams in Rilagala include Puntius nigrofasciatus (Black Ruby barb/ Bulath hapaya), Puntius titteya (Cherry barb/ Le titteya), Belontota signata (Ceylonese combtail/ Thalkossa), Rasbora vaterifloris (Pearly rasbora/ Halmal dandiya), Rasbora wilpita (Wilpita dandiya), Channa orientalis (Smooth breasted snake head/ Kolakanaya), Puntius bimaculatus (Two spotted barb/ Ippilakadaya ) and Puntius dorsalis (Long-snouted barb/ Katupethiya). Among these, all except the last two are endemic to Sri Lanka, while all are threatened of extinction.

Risk of landslides

In December 2014, the NBRO issued a landslide warning to the area after identifying deforestation activities as a major risk factor for the landslides in the area. In October 2015 there had been an earth slip that led to evacuation of three families from their original homes.

“Then how come the authorities can issue a license for quarrying Rilagala?” questions Ven. Thero with raised eyebrows.

The director, CENS Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam spoke to “The Island” from Italy.

“We have organized a mass campaign against this destruction. That is the real strength of the struggle to save Rilagala”, quipped Dr. Kariyawasam.

“We have already filed a human rights case against the Rilagala issue. We have already informed various authorities including the President about this issue. And we expect to file a case in the Supreme Court in the near future as well”, summed up Dr. Kariyawasam.

No approval as yet

Assistant Director, Central Environment Authority (CEA) at Hambantota district office when contacted denied that the massif in question is part of the Rilagala yaya. “No, that’s just a rock without a name” he said.

On the cleared up forest cover he said, “That was done to do the test blast”.

He further said, “By now the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) has been done and the necessary approval of the relevant authorities has been obtained. But the approval for quarrying has not been granted”.

According to the Assistant Director, the IEE had been conducted by a company that comes under the GSMB. When the GSMB is one of the authorizing agencies, one can also question the ethicality of a company that comes under it providing technical services to a project that depends on its independent opinion for its implementation.

He agreed that the resolution passed at the Southern Provincial Council was taken due cognizance of for not granting authorization for the project by the CEA.

Source – 03/08/2017, The Island, See more at – http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=169348