Daijiworld Media Network—(SR/CN)
Pics: Dayananda Kukkake

Mangalore, Jul 1: The feasibility study on coastal erosion in Karnataka by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was held here on Wednesday June 30.

Treasurer of KCCI Lalitha Kini, in her inaugural speech, said that the discussion will throw light on the subject.

Dr Deeptha Thattai, faculty, department of civil engineering, said that a deep study on soil erosion should be done before undertaking the project as 80 percent of coastal Karnataka is facing problem as it has not been documented properly.

“The mangroves were cut in the beginning and now the decrease in mangroves has contributed to the erosion. Walls are being constructed along the seashore but in some areas stones have been thrown to block the sea waves. Such unscientific methods of blocking the sea waves won’t help in any way. No buildings or houses should be constructed upto 500 meters from the sea”, she added.

Dr Thattai added that the measures for soil erosion should not be taken during the monsoon but during the off season and should be a long term plan to find a permanent solution.

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner (DC) V Ponnuraj said that excessive legal and illegal mining should be banned, but instead they have banned sending sand to Kerala which doesn’t help in stopping erosion.

“If the protective measures for erosion are carried out in one place, the problem will move to another area. So, comprehensive measures should be taken into consideration so that public money does not get wasted without helping the public”, he added.

The submission of the social responsibility project of the KCCI to the Government of Karnataka for the 70th year was done through the DC.

Former KCCI president Capt John Prasad Menezes, KCCI president Shrinivas S Kamath, R Sathyanathan, faculty, department of civil engineering, SRM University, Chennai, and other KCCI members were present during the discussion.

The vote of thanks was given by KCCI secretary Chandrakanth Rao.