Abstract
Large dam projects are implemented aiming for multiple benefits including water for agriculture, power generation and flood control. There are considerable environmental and social changes behind these large dam projects, which have not been discussed openly compared to the benefits received from them. However, it is important to analyse the social and environmental changes that could occur as a result of these dam projects in order to evaluate the net benefits received. This study focused on studying the changes in the cultural landscape of Teldeniya and surrounding area due to the construction of the Victoria reservoir. To achieve this objective, a methodology was developed utilizing topographical maps and remotely sensed data. Various spatial and non spatial data belonging to two periods: 1954 represent pre and 2003 post construction periods of the reservoir. The topographical maps were georectified and specific area of interest was obtained. Data of 1954, 2003 obtained from topographic maps were analysed to assess the changes in the landscape. In addition, an IRS LISS III satellite imagery acquired in 1998 was also classified and analysed to support the study. Comparisons were made among the information extracted from 1954, 1998 and 2003 to assess the changes in the cultural landscape of the study area. The study revealed that the land use, road network and the hydrological network have changed considerably. There is a drastic change in the cultural landscape of the study area as a result of the construction of the Victoria reservoir. Some of the land used previously has been submerged with the construction of the dam. The dam project has brought new livelihood options to the people in the area. It is clear that these repercussions are partly due to the changes that have occurred with the development of technology and society with time. The significance of this is that drastic changes are not only on tangible physical changes but also intangible aspects such as culture and the society of this region. Key words: Dams; Reservoirs; Spatial data; Victoria DOI: 10.4038/tar.v22i2.2830 Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 22 (2): 211-219 (2011)
Highlights
History of large dams goes back to thousands of years
Of water for irrigation and domestic needs, hydropower generation and flood control are the primary objectives of constructing large dams
There are some evidences to show the negative impacts of these large dams and reservoirs since hardly any few studies have been carried out on this issue
Summary
History of large dams goes back to thousands of years. Supply of water for irrigation and domestic needs, hydropower generation and flood control are the primary objectives of constructing large dams. Wijesundara and Dayawansa development projects such as mass scale displacement of people, changes in river hydrology and ecology, impacts on plants and animals have started to emerge. These negative impacts have seldom been studied in detail in the process of formulating development proposals since more weight was given to the positive outcomes associated with these programmes. Four large dams namely, Kotmale, Victoria, Randenigala and Rantembe were constructed under the Mahaweli development program These dam projects have brought multiple benefits to the country including supply of irrigation water, hydropower generation, flood control, socio-economic development in the new irrigation systems, infrastructure development etc. There are some evidences to show the negative impacts of these large dams and reservoirs since hardly any few studies have been carried out on this issue
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