Controversial Beragala Golf Resort Project Recommences?

by Hafsa Sabry(Sunday leader )

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has refused to grant approval to the Beragala Golf Resort Project which is alleged to violate most of the laws of the National Environmental Act, residents of the area and environmentalists are continuing to express concerns over the environmental issues that exist as a result of the project.
According to environmentalists, the biggest concern is the alleged construction work carried out as part of the project without proper approval by the CEA even though the company has requested for approval.
The controversial Beragala Golf Resort Project, which is alleged to be a threat to man and nature, still continues and is expected to encompass approximately 628 acres. In the meantime, a part of the land belongs to the Kuda Katharagama Devalaya while other parts of the land belong to the Forest Department and the Irrigation Department, claimed the environmentalists.
The Alpha and Omega (Pvt) Ltd. had allegedly developed a far-fetched plan for the construction of an Eco Golf Resort, complete with an 18-hole golf course, a theme park, two five-star resorts of international standards, a retirement community and a world-class hospital.
Following an observational visit to the Soragune forest by a group of researchers of the Center for Environmental and Nature Studies (CENS), it was revealed that the Beragala Golf Resort Project has recommenced despite the opposition of many environmentalists and the CEA’s refusal to clear the project.

Land Crisis
Nevertheless, environmentalists questioned how a perch was sold for Rs. 55 to the Alpha and Omega Pvt, Ltd., which leaves an unanswered question as to how a perch was sold for such a low amount while the land is surrounded by controversy.
The land which belongs to the Devalaya cannot be sold nor is anyone allowed to buy them as the land was considered holy, but how the company in question bought the land despite the fact that the religious leaders of the Devalaya had not given proper clearance. This clearly hints of a political influence behind the recommencement of the Beragala Golf Resort Project, pointed out Ravindra Kariyawasam, an environmentalist and researcher of the Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies (CENS).
People from the area and the Devalaya religious leaders had handed over letters dated fourth July ,2011 to Sasheendra Kumara Rajapaksa, the former Chief Minister of Uva Province and a letter dated July 11, 2011 to the former President requesting him to halt of the project. However, a response is yet to be received from the relevant authorities. “There are about 26 government bodies to look into the matter but no action had been taken so far is what worries us and we even wrote to the President this year regarding the issues that exist in the project”, he said.
“Deforestation under the name of development and money making will only destroy the environment and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
Environmental agencies of the government of Sri Lanka should consider this fact when approving either international or local company’s development projects”, he further noted.

Illegal constructions
He also alleged that illegal gem mining in the forest is also taking place while a Devalaya is also being constructed inside the forest to cover up the illegal building construction.
He further alleged that they have placed measures to construct roads from Haldamulla to the Devalaya through the Soragune forest which is illegal and poses threats to the creatures living in the forest. He alleged that they have not obtained proper approval to build the Devalaya inside the forest as well.

Local farmers problem
The constructors have already placed measures to build the luxurious hotel rooms along the river bank 500 meters from Weli Oya, causing threats to the environment and the water sources of the area. Thousands of villagers use the river as their water sources.
“The local farmers who are using the Weli Oya from over 35 villages such as Kota Vehera Mankada, Kandiya Pitiya, Aluth Wewa and Hambegamuwa as a source of water for their domestic usage and for their irrigational purposes will be obstructed by the Eco Golf Resort project”, said Ravindra Kariyawasam.
However, the constructors claim that the project will develop the country and the economy and will also create more job opportunities to the locals.
Furthermore, the Soragune forest is one of the active elephant corridors in the country while Udawalawe, Bogahapitiya and Alimankada are also used by the elephants to migrate from forest to forest. It is evident that will definitely lead to human-elephant conflict if hotels, roads or industrial zones are built in these elephant corridors.
The completion of the project will not only affect the local farmers and elephants but also the precious species of butterflies and many birds in the forest. The Soragune forest is home to nearly 208 species of birds and many kinds of butterflies all who depend on the water catchment areas of the forest.

Comments
The Director of Operations of the Wild Life Conservation W.S.K. Pathiratne speaking to The Sunday Leader said that wildlife conservation is opposing the project as it harms the environment and the wild life. Most of the elephants stay inside the forests and what if their area is cleared and replaced by luxury hotels and entertaining golf courses?”
“Moreover if the EIA is not properly carried out with regards to this project, the environment will face an irreparable damage.
Hence, the Wildlife Department and the relevant authorities must consider this and decide whether to allow the project or not”, he said.
Since the environmentalists claim that the project is under construction on land that belongs to the Wildlife Department, the Sunday leader contacted The Conservator General of Forests.
Responding to the questions Anura Sathurusinghe said, “It is an issue that was brought to our attention from time to time but what we clearly would say is that since the land where the project is under construction does not belong to the forest department we are not authorised to take any legal action against it”.
But the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project should be carried out by the respective authorities in the country to clarify whether it has any effects on the environment and the natural reservoirs of the country.