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Search is on for a substitute for sea wall

T. NANDAKUMAR

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/search-is-on-for-a-substitute-for-sea-wall/article4710390.ece

With the South West monsoon just weeks away, hundreds of fishermen and
their families are bracing themselves to face the fury of the sea,
even as large stretches of the coast remain vulnerable to heavy
erosion in the absence of an integrated, scientifically designed
protection strategy.

The present strategy, weighing heavily in favour of the construction
of sea walls, has come in for widespread criticism from fishermen and
scientists who feel that it is dictated by a section of corrupt
government officials acting in collusion with contractors.

Demanding a review of the strategy, fishermen stressed the need for an
alternative approach in view of the huge investment in building sea
walls and the recurring expenditure in maintaining them. Scientists
point out that a sea wall hinders sediment travel, leading to
accelerated erosion on the leeward side. It is the last option in
beach protection and a costly proposition.

Studies have shown that construction of sea walls had affected the
hydrodynamics of the Kerala coast, causing mass migration of several
species of fish. It is also blamed for the decline in shore-based
fishing activities.

According to N.P. Kurian, director, Centre for Earth Science Studies,
the best coastal protection strategy is to preserve the beach by
distancing all developmental activities and creating a buffer zone for
the interplay of land and sea. He says that the best option for Kerala
will be to relocate the coastal population to safer ground ahead of
the monsoon when erosion takes place.

Dr. Kurian feels that coastal protection measures should be preceded
by site-specific studies. “Shore-based protection methods such as
construction of sea walls work well only for wide beaches. Features
such as artificial reefs and submerged breakwaters are a better option
for narrow beaches. Construction of groynes and beach nourishment are
other alternatives that can be deployed based on site studies.”

T. Peter, vice-president, National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF), blames
the unscientific design and construction of sea walls and harbours for
the heavy erosion along the coast. “Rehabilitating families from the
vulnerable stretches of the coast will cost only a third of the
investment on construction and maintaining sea walls. Yet, the nexus
between officials and contractors ensures that sea walls get
preference.”

Mr. Peter says the uncontrolled extraction of sand from river beds,
lakes and estuaries had reduced the upstream sediment supply,
depleting the quantum of beach sand. Beach sand-mining itself
compounds the problem, exposing more areas to the ravages of the sea,
he observes.