The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Thiruvanmiyur residents wary of beach beautification work

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Sunday, Oct 12, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Thiruvanmiyur residents wary of beach beautification work

Staff Reporter

They fear that this may reduce the sand area and disturb the ecology

— PHOTO: D. Krishnan

NEW DEVELOPMENT: Temporary shelters to house workers have sprang up on the Thiruvanmiyur beach, as part of the beach beautification plan of the Chennai Corporation.

CHENNAI: Residents and morning walkers at Thiruvanmiyur fear that the Chennai Corporation’s beach beautification plan may reduce the sand area and disturb the ecology.

The civic agency’s plan is now being implemented on the Thiruvanmiyur beach.

A contractor on the site said granite walkways, a gallery and a children’s play area would be developed, starting from the police booth near the Ashtalakshmi temple.

Temporary shelters

These developments on the beach have raised concern among residents, morning walkers and turtle conservationists.

Already, temporary shelters have been erected on the beach sands for accommodating contract workers. On Friday morning, labourers could be seen digging a leach pit near the shore for providing toilet facility at the shelter.

The work might go on for a year, the contractor said.

Lesser traffic

Shanti Ramanan, a regular morning walker, said she preferred walking here, as there were fewer buildings and lesser traffic, and it was usually quiet.

On the plan to construct galleries for seating, she said the cement elevation was sufficient for seating.

“Furthermore, most people prefer to walk along the sandy stretches.”

V. Arun of the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network said the new developments on the beach could interfere with the nesting of Olive Ridley turtles that begins in November. “

We do not want bright lights here, as this will turn the hatchlings away from the sea and towards these lights. Also, putting up structures here is likely to reduce their nesting area.”

He said Olive Ridley turtles were an endangered species included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

No additional lights

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said no additional lights would be put up along this stretch of the beach.

“We are only repairing an existing footpath and building a small gallery for seating. We are not disturbing the sands.”

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