Identify the economic impacts of the Wemedilla Reservoir Construction: a study based on Galewela D.S. Division

Abstract

Reservoirs have been used for thousands of years to regulate river flows and ensure adequate supply of water during dry periods. There will be a need for more reservoirs and dams in the future, as water consumption rises due to population increase. However, in recent years new reservoirs have been constructed in Sri Lanka giving both positive and negative impacts in the particular area. Wemedilla Reservoir located in Galewela DS Division has been selected for this research in order to find out the socio-economic and environmental impacts in the study area due to the Wemedilla Reservoir construction. The objectives of this research are to find the economic impacts caused by Wemedilla Reservoir and to identify the measures to mitigate the negative impacts. Primary data have been collected within the study area through questionnaire survey, interviews and field observations. Secondary data have been collected from the Divisional Secretariat Division of Galewela, Irrigation Office of Dambulla and published and unpublished materials. Microsoft Excel 2013 used for the data analysis. Further this study assesses the positive and negative impacts of Wemedilla Reservoir in the study area. Tourism, Agricultural Activities, Livelihood Development and Regional Development are some of the Positive Economic Impacts through the Wemedilla Reservoir in the study area. Loss of agricultural Lands and Improper relief are other negative economic impacts caused by the Wemedilla Reservoir. This research suggests some recommendations to mitigate the negative economic impact.