By Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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

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

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

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

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

7. How did we lose our beach?

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

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

16. 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

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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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.

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

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

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

29. 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

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

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

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

35. 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