Sandbank formation at Kadalundikkadavu estuary in Kozhikode threatens biodiversity

Kadalundi: Excessive sand accumulation at the estuary near the Kadalundikkadavu bridge is disrupting the natural rhythm of the river, threatening mangroves, fish, and migratory birds, while also impacting local livelihoods and tourism.

The high tide–low tide phenomenon in the river has already been facing disruptions as sand discharged by waves and washed into the river has accumulated excessively near the bridge. This is preventing the inflow of adequate water into the river during high tide and is also disrupting the drainage of water during low tide.

With he sand spreading to more area, the otherwise wide Kadalundi river has been reduced to a narrow channel near the estuary.

The excessive sandbank formation is causing the atrophying of biodiversity in the community reserve. Mangroves are being destroyed as their roots are getting buried under sand. Sand has also spread across the feeding fields of migratory birds in the reserve.

Despite the disruption to the river’s natural course of flow, no progress has been made in removing the sand near the estuary. Earlier, sand mining used to be carried out around Kadalundikkadavu, Mattummal Thodu, Aittuvalappu, Kottakkadavu, and Mukkathukadavu in Kadalundi panchayat. At that time, the river had depth and uninterrupted flow. However, sand mining has not taken place since 2014.

The availability of fish in the Kadalundi river has dropped considerably due to changes in the flow from the sea. Clam species are also gradually disappearing from the river. The absence of wave-induced intrusion of water is contributing to coastal erosion. The sandbank is also obstructing the tourist ferry service from the community reserve ecotourism centre. Tourists are being deprived of the ferry experience during low tide.

Earlier, the National Biodiversity Authority had directed the Kadalundi panchayat to study the removal of sand from near the Kadalundikkadavu estuary. Although an expert group comprising representatives of the panchayat, biodiversity management committee, CMFRI, fisheries, harbour engineering, mining and geology, and the roads and bridges department conducted a preliminary study, uncertainty prevails over the follow-up measures to be initiated.