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VOL. XXIV NO. 6, July 1-15, 2014
Save the City's beaches from project planners
(by T.D. Babu )

Beach beautification? I really don’t understand what these words mean for those who talk of “mega projects”. As far as I am concerned, the beach should be left as beach with just sand.

Before commenting about the Rs.50 crore project proposed for facilities for our beaches, a word about what exactly beaches are.

Sandy beaches are a gift of nature which act as a buffer zone between the land and the sea. They help to prevent salt intrusion into the groundwater table. They act as a shock absorber, by reducing the intensity of the waves. Beaches serve as sinks for rainwater, preventing flooding and improving the groundwater table.

Sand dunes are a natural component of sandy beaches and they have been lost from North Chennai to South Chennai (Kottivakkam) due to encroachments by concrete jungles (housing units, other facilities). We still have a few scattered sand dunes between Palavakkam and Mamallapuram.

These sand dunes are the first line of defence against natural disasters such as storms, cyclones and tsunamis. Nearly 12 ft high sand dunes can be seen within the Chennai limits between Injambakkam and Muttukadu. These sand dunes safeguarded the hamlets behind them from the 2004 tsunami. The hamlets which had flattened sand dunes to extend their habitat (encroachment) were washed away by the same tsunami.

The formation of such dunes takes years together and their erosion is prevented by the beach creepers. A coast with sand dunes is very productive and is a biodiversity-rich spot.

Apart from them, sandy beaches are habitat for many burrowing crustaceans and molluscs (coastal organisms) and the beaches of Chennai are a nesting ground for endangered green turtles. These turtles play a role in keeping the marine ecosystem in equilibrium.

If we understand this fragile coastal ecosystem we would not disturb our beaches. Instead, we would be admiring nature’s beauty. Already, in the name of development, we are facing beach erosion at both the ends of our city (Kovalam in the south and Ennore in the north). We should not further damage this fragile ecosystem in the name of development.

The facilities proposed as part of the projects are

1. Yoga & meditation centre

Already the open beach serves as a place suitable for yoga and meditation, to the background of the sounds of waves and the pleasant sea breeze.

Yoga and meditation practice is ideal only during early morning or after dusk. No one will pursue these exercises during mid-day and the rainy season. So no special structure is needed, as is otherwise necessary inside the city where such ambience is not available.

2. Volleyball court

If volleyball has to be played, it should be played only during day time on the sands You cannot have a cemented floor on the sands. If such facilities are needed, then the more suitable location is the playground and not the ‘beach’. Cement flooring will be hazardous to the beach’s ecosystem.

3. Park

Allowing the natural coastal vegetation itself will serve as a park. But the “Park” mentioned here will not be that. It will have all such components as cement floor, lights, benches and play equipment. These will certainly change the original geographical nature of the location, exposing it to nature’s and man-made disasters.

4. Cricket pitch

Why should you have a cricket pitch on the sands of the beach? Everyone knows how a pitch is made. Again, this will be a threat to the habitat of the coastal organisms.

5. Open air art gallery, sculpture studio and open air theatre

These components are a big threat to the present beaches which are facing the threats of urbanisation. We cannot afford to lose the beach for sake of these facilities which could be accommodated elsewhere inside the city.

On what basis has the Corporation approved this project?

Is this project approved by the Environment Department and Coastal Regulation Authority?

We should not spend public money to kill sandy beaches and create coastal disasters.

Already, the reduced beach stretch is facing a lot of stress due to garbage, dumping of rubble on the sands, and all kinds of solid and liquid waste pollution. Hamlets do not have proper sewerage system. Every hamlet has let its sewage drain into the open sand, creating a health hazard and degrading the coastal ecosystem.

Let us join hands to save the beaches and to protect the wealth of the oceans and the coastal lands from natural and man-made disasters. – (Courtesy: Adyar Times.)

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OUR ADDRESSES

In this issue

Let's celebrate Madras 375
Madras Landmarks - 50 years ago
How long will these banner-free days last?
Save the City's beaches from project planners
The Love Song remembered
The Wisdom of a preface
The romance of the postcard
Vignettes of Chennai
Organising Indian motor sports

Our Regulars

Short 'N' Snappy
Dates for Your Diary
Readers Write
Quizzin' With Ram'nan
Madras Eye

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