Due to salinity issues in the Mandakal Aru River Basin, Kunchchukulam village in Poonakary Division was completely displaced and over 11,220 acres of agricultural lands (mostly paddy) were abandoned. Further, over 8,965 acres of agricultural lands, Vanneri School and Vanneri Hospital are affected by the Sea water intrusion.
When the proposed Poonakary Tank rehabilitation work is completed, over 20,000 acres of agricultural lands can be used again for cultivation of paddy and Other Field Crops. More over the entire Kunchchukulam village could be resettled immediately with Vanneri school and hospital functioning. It will also ensure the: Immediate suspension and reversing of Sea water intrusion to Poonakary Tank and aquifer in Poonakary area; Cultivation of over 20,000 acres of agricultural lands for paddy and other field crops; Immediate resettlement of Kunchchukulam village and functioning of Vanneri School and Vanneri hospital; Provision of about 15 MCM annually to meet the water requirement for cultivation of both YALA and MAHA seasons with gravity and lift irrigation systems. This will reduce the dependency on groundwater extraction for cultivation; Creation of new Fresh Water Fishing industry at Poonakary Tank; Provision of 1 MCM (Million Cubic Metres) of raw-water annually, for future drinking water requirements of the entire population in Poonakary division. Currently, shallow wells and deep wells are being used for this purpose. This project will also reportedly save about 750,000 tonnes of CO2 emission annually.
Taken from taken from the article published on dailynews.lk.
https://www.dailynews.lk/2023/12/16/featured/298441/poonakary-the-potential-of-solar-power/?fbclid=IwAR0m1pinvcULig6Ty_tw7eRFdSpJpwEI-m1QdcIQhV01W9TEgkMRC2JZGZg
