Goa-based Institute of Oceanograpy Reports on Sea Erosion in Karnataka
from daijiworld's special correspondent (MB)
Panaji, Jul 7: Around 23 per cent of the shoreline along the Indian mainland has been affected by erosion with coastal states like Karnataka and Kerala being worst sufferers, says a study by Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography, an apex body in the ocean research.
The research based on information collected from Naval Hydrographic office and respective states reveal that of the total 5422.6 km long mainland shoreline, 1247.9 kms is affected by erosion while the entire Lakshadweep island is facing the wrath of erosion.
Karnataka has 249.6 km long stretch out of 280 kms being eroded and Kerala has 480 kms stretch out of 569.7 km long shoreline being washed out.
"Besides Indian mainland, Lakshadweep, an archipelago of coral islands in the Arabian sea consisting of 36 islands, 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged coral banks, is under constant threat of erosion,'' said Dr V Sanil Kumar, scientist, Ocean engineering, NIO. Dr Kumar along with K C Pathak,, P Pednekar, N S N Raju and R Gowthaman have authored the research paper ``coastal process along the Indian coastline'', which has raised this fear.
Lakshadweep, with 132 km long coastline, has seen shore protection measures being initiated by the respective government resulting in the protection of its 40 km stretch, the paper reads.
The study indicates that Daman and Diu on the mainland and Andaman and Nicobar islands are far away from the erosion menace. The scientists term the beach erosion as ``universal problem'' as estimated 70 per cent of the world's beaches are eroding.
"Any attempt to handle the coastal problems either to arrest erosion or prevent deposition requires a thorough understanding of the factors and processes involved in the coastal geomorphological system,'' said Dr Kumar.
In the Indian context, the country has 43 per cent sandy beaches, 11 per rocky coast with cliffs and 46 per cent mud flats and marshy coast. ``Oscillation of the shoreline along the Indian coast is seasonal. Some of the beaches regain their original profiles by March or April,'' the paper reads.
The scientist contend that fifty per cent of the beaches that do not regain their original shape over an annual cycle undergo net erosion. "The shoreline erosion in the northern regions of Chennai, Ennore, Visakhapatnam and Paradip ports has resulted due to construction of breakwaters of the respective ports,'' the study observes.
The scientists have found that along the Gujarat coast, shoreline erosion is observed at Ghoga, Bhagwa, Dumas, Kaniar, Kolak and Umbergaon. "The erosion has also ben observed at Versova (Mumbai), near Kelva fishing port (north of Mumbai), Rajapuri (Vashi), and Malvan along the Maharashtra coast.
In Goa, the erosion is noticed at Anjuna, Talpona and Betalbatim, all important tourist attractions.
Erosion along the beaches near river mouths has been commonly noticed along Karnataka coast. "Coastal erosion and submersion of land have been reported at Ankola, Bhatkal, Malpe, Mulur, Mangalore, Honnavar, Marvavante and Gokarn in Karnataka. About 60 km beach is affected due to erosion in this area,'' the scientists have found out.
The NIO observed that the problem is relatively more severe in Dakshin Kannada and Udupi coasts, where about 28 per cent of the total stretch is critical.
Along the Tamil Nadu coast, the scientists observe, the erosion rate is observed at Poompuhar, Tarangampadi, Nagapattinam, Mandapam, Manapadu, Ovari, Kanyakumari, Pallam, Nanavalakurichi and Kolachel. ``The maximum rate of erosion along Tamil coast is about 6.6 metres per year near Royapuram between Chennai and Ennore port,'' the study reveals.