Nalin Kumar Kateel, Dist. MP impresses centre assist on sea erosion

Nalin Kumar Kateel, Dist. MP impresses centre assist on sea erosion

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 11, 2014:  Critical sea erosion on coastal ares has been a serious problem in the coastal districts of Karnataka every year during the monsoon season. Deep erosion along the sea face specially at estuaries is increasing. Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP,  Dakshina Kannada has stressed on the Union government to provide central assistance to the state government to check sea erosion in coastal areas of the state.

Raising the issue under rule 377 in the ongoing budget session of parliament, Nalin said coastal erosion and submergence of land have been reported at Ullal, Malpe,, Mulur, Mangalore, Honnavar, Maravanthe, Gokarna and so on. About 60-km of sea face or 19% of total length of shoreline is affected by erosion. Problem is more severe in DK and Udupi coasts, where about 28% of the total stretch is critical, he stressed.

Marine erosion is a serious threat to life, property, businesses and puts people living at risk. The factors contributing to this phenomena need investigation and prevention too. The two methods used to tackle the problem  - the box model and the boulder model - have not suceeded in Karnataka, although the same models have succeeded in other places according to MP Kateel.

Surveys in these areas point to the sea claiming more than 2,000 metres over the past few years. Union ministry for water resources should set norms for compensation and resettlement package for those whose homes that have been lost to the Sea. Stringent measures have to be taken for controlling sea erosion in coastal areas, he said urging the government to consider works related to checking sea-erosion on a priority.