Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jul 25: There appears to be no respite from sea erosion for the residents of Uchila near here, as evidenced by surging waves which returned to threaten their lives on Friday July 24. Land belonging to two families as well as some coconut trees were gobbled up by the surging sea in this fresh spate of aggression.
Land belonging to Vasant and Yamuna living at New Uchila as well as about ten coconut trees belonging to them were annexed by waves which advanced into the compounds of these families. The waves gained in size and power since Thursday late night, inundating land belonging to these two families in addition to uprooting six coconut trees belonging to Vasant and four standing in Yamuna's compound.
Sea erosion had acquired worrying proportions at New Uchila and Uchila shores during 2013. A resort and a few houses standing on seashore had submerged then. The people's representatives had not visited the spot to instill confidence among the locals. As soon as media reports pointed about this lapse, MP, district in-charge minister, MLAs etc had visited the spot and promised the concerned of providing temporary relief. Although boulders were stacked at one spot thereafter, some houses were washed away completely, and these families got relocated elsewhere. The waves have now shifted their aggression from Uchila and New Uchila, endangering the existence of two houses.
Vasant expressed the opinion that visit by people's representatives does not mean anything, as the government machinery does not come to the rescue of distressed people even after these visits. 'If they come, look at the destruction and go back, we do not gain anything. The compensation we get from the department concerned is grossly insufficient for meeting repair costs of the house. Unless boulders are heaped to stop the sea which is surging ahead as a temporary measure, we will be driven to streets,' he said.
Kamala, a senior citizen from the area, with tears rolling down her eyes, explained that her family has been living here since many years, and three fourths of their land has already been taken over by the sea. 'Our family does not have people to work and earn. We are not financially sound enough to buy land elsewhere and build a house for ourselves. I hope that people's representatives understand our plight, and get a government site sanctioned to us elsewhere,' she added.