A Sri Lankan Sanctuary Faces the Perils of Misguided Renewable Expansion

As the world races to decarbonise its energy systems, renewable energy projects have emerged as both a solution to climate change and a source of new environmental controversy.

- By Dilum Alagiyawanna

In Sri Lanka, this tension is starkly visible in the coastal region of Mannar Peninsula, a critical node in the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), a migratory route used by over a million birds from roughly 30 countries. Here, large-scale wind power ambitions, notably the controversial Adani Group project, face scrutiny not just for their carbon-cutting potential but for their disruptive impact on sensitive ecosystems and migratory wildlife. In contrast, local renewable energy initiatives, while not free from environmental cost, present a more measured and conservation-aligned approach. This article critically examines the comparative environmental impact of these competing models of green energy on the CAF and Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity.

The Central Asian Flyway

is one of the most significant bird migration corridors globally, stretching from Siberia and Central Asia to the Indian Ocean

The Central Asian Flyway: A Fragile Lifeline

Stretching from Siberia and Central Asia to the Indian Ocean, the Central Asian Flyway is one of the most significant bird migration corridors globally. Mannar Peninsula, located at the southernmost point of this flyway, serves as a vital stopover and wintering site. It hosts around 150 species of migratory birds, including 20 globally threatened ones, within wetlands like the Vankalai Ramsar Sanctuary and Adam's Bridge Marine National Park.

These fragile habitats are not only essential to avian survival but are also intricately tied to local biodiversity and livelihoods.

Adani's Mannar Wind Farm: Ambition Meets Controversy