The State government plans to devise a comprehensive plan to protect the Vypeen coast and contain sea erosion. The immediate plan is to place geotubes in the sea close to the coast. M.V. Ramana Murthy, Research Director of the National Centre for Coastal Research, Chennai, visited the coastal areas of Vypeen on Friday as part of studies that will support the government’s efforts.
An official press release said here that the plan was to establish anti-sea erosion measures along 22 coastal segments in the State in the first phase. The works will be done under the supervision of the Kerala State Coastal Development Corporation.
Along the Ernakulam coast, three segments have been identified for sea protection works in the Vypeen constituency. They are Puthenkadappuram in Njarakkal, Veliyathanparambu Kadappuram in Nayarambalam, and Cherai Kadappuram in Pallippuram.
According to the plan, geotubes will be set up 8 km away from the coast. The tubes will be made from petrochemical byproducts. Sand for the bags will be taken from the sea itself. The bags will be able to withstand the strength of the waves and help coastal accretion.
Geotubes will weigh between 250 tonnes and 300 tonnes. The project will also help increase the stock of fish resources close to the shore. Besides, it will help tourists come close to the sea, providing a boost to tourism.
K.N. Unnikrishnan, MLA, and Kerala Coastal Area Development Agency managing director P.I. Sheik Pareeth were among those who attended a meeting here on the protection of coastal areas in the district, said the release. The official communication claimed that the government had allotted ₹100 crore for coastal protection works in the State. The geotube work in Vypeen is part of the State-wide programme.