45 percent of Kerala's coastline facing erosion
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A study conducted by the National Center for Coastal Research (NCCR) has found that 45 per cent of the coastline of Kerala is subject to varying degrees of erosion for over two and a half decades. The shocking fact was mentioned in the National Shore Line Change Assessment Mapping for Indian Coastal Report by the NCCR. According to the report, unscientific construction of structures such as fishing harbours, ports, groins and seawalls, sand mining, climate change, monsoon fluctuations, and rising sea levels due to global warming have largely contributed to the erosion of the coastline.
The coastline of Kerala is 592.96 km long. The coastal area is up to seven and a half meters above sea level. This area, which covers only 10.25% (3979 sq km) of land area, is very densely populated. The population density of Kerala is 810 per sq km. However, in coastal areas, the population density is as high as 2168.
Hot spots and threats
1. Thiruvananthapuram: Construction of harbour at Thengapattanam and dredging at the port
2. Kollam: Sand mining activities in Alappad
3. Alappuzha: Unscientific construction of harbour from Purakkad to Chellanam
4. Ponnani-Kasargod: Unscientific construction activities
Rising sea level
- During the period 1993-2015, the sea level in the country rose by 3.3 mm
- Increase of 1.75 mm in sea level per year along Kochi coast
- An area of 169 sq km in Kochi is at risk of floods.