The Hindu : Kerala News : Sea reaches the door of Koippadi fishermen

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Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Sea reaches the door of Koippadi fishermen

Staff Reporter

KASARAGOD: More than 300 houses of fishermen on the Koippadi beach in Kumbla panchayat limits here face a threat from sea erosion. The fishermen complain that indiscriminate sand-mining from the Koippadi sandbar had aggravated erosion.

At a press conference here on Monday, Abdul Khatim, who represents the Koippadi gram panchayat ward, and representatives of fishermen said hundreds of tonnes of sand were being mined illegally every day.

Mr. Khatim alleged that the authorities, including those of the Kasaragod port office, were abetting those engaged in mining.

He said that while the sea was more than a kilometre from the fishermen’s settlements around 30 years ago, at present, it was just a few metres ahead. While sea erosions and attack by tidal waves were minimal earlier, the present situation was appalling.

After the beginning of the monsoon, tidal waves uprooted several coconut trees. The seawall constructed recently was destroyed.

He said sand-mining allowed the waves to advance freely to the shore. While the authorities had initially issued only 15 passes for mining, more than 50 people were operating at present. While mining was permitted only from 6 a.m. to 12 noon, the illegal miners operated till evening.

The authorities had put their memorandums against the illegal mining on the backburner. The officials chided them for building houses close to sea.

He said the fishermen would be forced to resort to strong agitations if the authorities failed to act. Dharnas and road blockades would be conducted.

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