Neglect, erosion & stalled proposals plague coastal protection efforts in Kasaragod
Coastal erosion is worsening due to a lack of funds for sea wall maintenance and construction.
Coastal erosion is worsening due to a lack of funds for sea wall maintenance and construction.
Coastal erosion is worsening due to a lack of funds for sea wall maintenance and construction.
Kasaragod: It has been years since any major maintenance work was carried out on the ageing sea wall infrastructure along the district’s coastline. The decades-old structures remain neglected, while the more recent geo-bag walls, installed on a trial basis at select locations, have largely been washed away by relentless sea incursions.
Whenever complaints are raised, the response remains the same: lack of funds. The state government continues to blame inadequate financial support from the Centre for the delays in coastal protection efforts.
The last major sea wall maintenance work was undertaken four years ago at Cherangai. Since then, coastal erosion has continued unabated. In response, a Mission Directorate wing was established to mobilise funds and implement protection projects. The directorate has submitted proposals seeking financial assistance from the World Bank for sea wall construction and reinforcement across several coastal areas, including Kanwatheertha, Perwad, Koipady, Kavugoli, Ajanur and Thrikkannad. Support for the Valiyaparambu stretch has been sought from the Asian Development Bank.
Although the Major Irrigation Department has submitted several proposals for coastal protection using geo-tubes, rubble, and tetrapods, many remain stuck in the approval pipeline.
Projects submitted for approval
- ₹90 lakh for reconstructing the damaged sea wall along the Kotikulam–Bekal coast
- ₹50 crore for a 2.2-kilometre-long tetrapod sea wall
- ₹30 lakh for a geo-bag wall at the Thrikkannad coast
- ₹23 lakh (approved) for laying granite stones to protect the Kodungallur Devi Mandap at Kotikulam
- ₹50 lakh (approved) for geo-bag walls at Kovval and Koppal beaches
- ₹50 lakh for a 150-metre geo-bag wall at Kanwatheertha
- ₹25 crore for a 1-kilometre tetrapod wall at Kanwatheertha
- Tetrapod wall of 500 metres proposed for the Peringady coast
- Tetrapod wall proposed for 2.4 kilometres at Perwad and Koipady
- 100-metre stone wall proposed at Ajanur beach; ₹25 lakh allocated for a geo-tube wall here, with 20 metres already completed