The Hindu : National : A plan to save and develop Digha

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Thursday, Jul 20, 2006

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A plan to save and develop Digha

Antara Das

Kolkata: A coastal management plan that involves controlling coastal erosion and enhancing shore protection has been prepared for Digha. West Bengal's popular sea resort is sought to be developed as an international tourism spot.

Proposals formulated by the School of Oceanographic Studies (SOS), Jadavpur University, are about to be submitted to the State Government.

"Digha is the only proper sea resort in West Bengal but the place has become a victim of unplanned growth," Dr. Sugata Hazra, Director, SOS, said. "It did not even have a proper sewage treatment facility till recently, when we set up a bio-degradation plant for treating sewage."

Massive coastal erosion, to the extent of 15 to 20 metres a year, has led to loss of land and property. "Entire villages are being encroached upon by the sea," says Dr. Hazra. "In fact, the original Digha village has been submerged."

According to him, the factors responsible for the erosion include wave convergence, reduction of sand supply from the Subarnarekha river following the construction of at least six dams on its bed and a rise in sea level. Another reason is the phenomenon of oblique wave approach, where the development of a shore-parallel current carries the sand away.

"We have proposed building a structure perpendicular to the coast to arrest the sand movement and build up a zone of accretion where the sand will be deposited," says Dr. Hazra. "Another plan is to build a sea dyke in the dune fields to arrest the inward movement of sea water."

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