Construction close to sea harmful for villages near Shanghumugham, says NGO

Thiruvananthapuram: Friends of Marine Life (FML), an NGO, has urged govt to remove the unscientific construction at Shanghumugham beach for beautification and coastal protection, alleging that it is causing more harm than good.

Robert Panipilla of FML said that the work is likely to destroy the shores of neighbouring coastal villages such as Kannanthura and Vettukadu.He said that the rough sea during monsoon has already washed away the stones, and sand and metal rods are lying at the construction site. “The monsoon has only just begun this year. Already, the sand embankment, iron piles and boulders that were placed to protect Shanghumugham project site have been washed away by the sea.

In addition, the shoreline on the northern side of the construction has started to erode.”“It is unfortunate that the govt believes that they can protect the coast by building a concrete structure. Structures made of rock and concrete cannot withstand the force of the sea. We have already seen this fail at Valiyathura bridge, where massive concrete blocks were used to resist the sea, only for large stretches of the adjacent coast, including Valiyathura football ground and many homes, to be swallowed by the sea.

”Despite this experience, misguided intervention is being repeated, he added.The work will also cause major losses to the shore-seine fishermen of Shanghumugham as well as to the villages of Kannanthura and Vettukadu. “We have seen visitors taking part in pulling the net along with fishermen. Such experience will not be there when this beautification project is completed,” he added.