Erosion of Pondicherry beaches

Puducherry Port Disaster A Man-Made Tsunami Coastal Erosion at Puducherry and neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu Pondicherry Citizens Action Network February 2007

Once upon a time … Pondicherry had a beautiful beach (1986) Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Nature’s gift to the citizens of Pondicherry (1986) Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Protects us from cyclones and tsunamis

Prevents our ground water from becoming saline

Supports the livelihood of fishermen

Provides a natural recreational space

Used during festivals (Masimagam)

THE BEACH… an essential part of the ecosystem Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Then a harbour was built (1986-1989)……and neglected Harbour entrance Pondy town 2 kms Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Pondy was never the same …a precious gift was lost (2000) Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

How did we lose our beach?

The sand movement along this coastline is one of the highest in the world

9 months / year it moves northwards - 0.6 million cu m

3 months / year it moves southwards - 0.1 million cu m

The net displacement northwards 0.5 million cubic meter

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Any construction obstructs this sand movement Sand depleted Sand accumulated Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Original shoreline Seawall

Satellite image of Puducherry coastline (Year 2000) Receded shoreline Blocked sand National Institute of Port Management has stated that the harbour is the cause of this coastline erosion Harbour Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Because of this harbour Puducherry has lost about 9 million cu.m of sand (1.5 million lorry loads) Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

How is this erosion affecting Puducherry? Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Waves break on sand bar Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Sand bar protected us from big waves As sand bar has gone, the waves crash on to the road

Waves spilling over seawall during cyclone (2000) Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Le Café damaged due to beach erosion Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

The Beach Road is SINKING! Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Portion away from the sea is intact Portion closer to the sea is damaged

What did the Government do? Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Dumped rocks along the coast Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Dumping rocks is not a solution

Increases erosion

Work has to continue forever as rocks keep sinking

Requires huge sums of public money

Does not protect us from big waves

Mountains have to be destroyed

Is this sustainable? Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Seawall ends in Pondy… the problem shifts to Tamil Nadu Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Thanthirayan Kuppam Sea Wall

The harbour has destroyed 7 kms of shoreline in Puducherry and Tamilnadu Satellite image of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu coastline (2006) 7 kms Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

THENGAITHITTU- The village most affected Saltwater intrusion making their lands barren Sand logging affecting livelihoods of fishermen Mangrove forest and the rich biodiversity under threat

Affected villages in Tamil Nadu (2002) Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

1st August ‘02 … a week later A house and trees… …turned into rubble and lost. Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Parking space for traditional fishing crafts….is lost.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Widespread destruction Homes…. livelihoods … and nature

The coastal erosion is advancing at 350 m/year March 2002 Kottakupam … 3 months later! Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

IMPACTS OF COASTAL EROSION

Destruction and loss of property

Water salinity and scarcity

Loss of livelihoods for fishermen

Degradation of fertile agricultural land

Exposes the town to cyclones

A small commercial harbour is silently destroying us. It’s a man made tsunami

Studies by experts conclude that A harbour should be avoided in Puducherry According to Dr. S.M. Ramasamy there are certain faults along this coast of Puducherry indicating chains of tectonically induced environmental problems such as ground water logging, coastal zone flooding, storm surges and harbour sedimentation. Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

A New Threat! if the existing harbour is so devastating… imagine a port 10 times bigger? Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

Construction of a new Deep Water Port ten times bigger Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007 Existing harbour Proposed Deep Water Port. Potential erosion

Alarming facts about the project…

Proposed without any assessment of sand movement

9 million cu.m of sand will be used to reclaim land

(this is essential to rehabilitate Pondy beach)

Mitigation measures responsibility of Govt not Developers

Financially not viable (according to developer’s report)

Does Puducherry need a Deep Water Port that will

Flood the town

Create water scarcity

Cause traffic congestion

Cause health hazard due to pollution

Dump garbage into the sea

..And ruin the quality of life of its citizens

? Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

This beautiful natural spot can become a recreational space for the 6.5 lakhs residents of Puducherry instead of benefitting only a few

Puducherry,earlier known as Vedapuri, is unique and special. With its rich cultural and spiritual heritage it must become a city of knowledge and the model for a development that is holistic, sustainable and eco-friendly. Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007