Feasibility study on proposed Mau Ara feeding alternatives through upper Walawe river

Abstract

Gin-Nilwala diversion project was proposed to give a solution for the water scarcity in southern Sri Lanka. Greater Hambantota Development Area is going to receive water for industrial, commercial and agricultural demand through this project. The first proposed alternative was to construct a channel from upper Walawe river to Mau-Ara reservoir which runs through Udawalawe National Park where the Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation forwarded a strong objection. Hence, the second alternative of diverting the additional water from Kiri ibban reservoir to Mau-Ara channel by using pump houses was proposed. The objective of this study is to recommend most feasible diversion path from the two alternatives by considering the scientific, social and economic impacts. The water demand analysis and initial environmental examination was done to find the scientific impact. The most feasible diversion way was proposed based on the results of these impact studies of each alternative.