Coastal erosion not because of Vizhinjam seaport, draft White Paper tells NGT; critics slam it

According to studies carried out by the three agencies, an unprecedented increase in the number of storms during the fair-weather period (October to April) in recent years resulted in high waves, which caused the erosion.

Besides the stormy weather, the presence of a groyne field at Beemapally, located around a couple of kilometres to the south of the Valiyathura coast, was another reason for the beach or coastline not rebuilding naturally, according to the White Paper.

(A groyne is a structure built up from an ocean shore to disrupt the flow of water and limit the movement of sediment. A groyne field is a series of groynes acting together to protect a beach.)

“A plausible reason for the erosion at Valiyathura and its northern coastal stretches is the presence of the groyne field to its south (Poonthura to Beemapally),” the White Paper said.

“After the Ockhi cyclone in November 2017, Valiyathura and Shangumugham coasts are subjected to high-wave activity due to an increase in the number of storm events and cyclones, as a result of which, the earlier (prior to Ockhi) normal process of beach rebuilding during the fair-weather period (October to April) has not been happening,” it added.

Natural cycle was disturbed

According to VISL CEO Dr Jayakumar, during the monsoon season, the area witnesses soil erosion along the coast and during the following fair-weather period, when seas are comparatively calm, there are deposits of sediment on the beach, rebuilding it.

This natural cycle was not taking place in the last few years, especially after Ockhi, Jayakumar told PTI.

However, Joseph Vijayan, who had moved the NGT against the environment clearance given to the seaport project and as a result of which the expert committee was appointed, does not agree with the White Paper.

He termed the draft report as “illogical, unscientific and skewed” and claimed that it was aimed at protecting the project and the concessionaire.

In support of his claim, Vijayan said the report does not properly clarify why the stormy weather only affected the areas north of the port and why there was soil accretion in the southern parts during the same time.

He said the coastline much further along to the north also remained unaffected by the adverse weather phenomenon of the past few years and this has also not been addressed in the report.

‘Climate being made scapegoat’

“The climate is being made a scapegoat. Areas which were made vulnerable due to human interference or intervention were the ones which were adversely affected by the adverse weather,” he told PTI.

At the same time, he conceded there was poor sediment movement last year which was why there were no major changes to the Kerala coastline after the 2022 monsoon season.

“That situation might change next year,” he added.

On being asked about his views regarding the recently called-off protest against the seaport, Vijayan said it was a genuine cause and that he sympathised with the protestors.

Priests of the Latin Church Archdiocese, leading the protestors, could not be reached for comments regarding the White Paper.

Erosion not because of seaport

The committee said in the White Paper, “The erosion at Shangumugham and Valliyathura cannot be attributed to the construction of the upcoming port at Vizhinjam as per the studies. The shoreline analyses show the trend of erosion at the erosion hotspots viz. Valiyathura, Shangumugham and Poonthura are the same before and after the commencement of the port.”

Vizhinjam port. (Official Website/adaniports.com)

It further stated that according to studies, the extent of impact due to any intervention on a straight coastline would be only within 8 to 10 times the length of protrusion.

“Vizhinjam port is located within a concave coast, which deviates beyond a certain length, coupled with rocky promontories and pocket beaches. The breakwater of the port protrudes only about a km into the sea. Therefore, the coastal erosion at Valiyathura and Shangumugham beaches, which are 13 km and 15 km away from the breakwater, cannot be attributed to the construction of the upcoming port,” it said.

It said with sediment bypassing, the erosion at Valiyathura and Shangumugham is expected to reduce and the beach is likely to become stable in a few years with the adoption of appropriate site-specific shore protection measures.

White Paper to be simplified

Kurien said the expert committee suggested that the White Paper be simplified so that local residents and those opposed to the project can better understand it, and the final report be placed before it within two weeks.

On 6 December last year, the over 130-day-long protest by fisherfolk against the under-construction Vizhinjam seaport was called off after discussions between those who led the agitation and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

They had been pressing for a 7-point charter of demands that included stopping the construction work and to conduct a coastal impact study in connection with the multi-crore project.

The agitators had been alleging that the unscientific construction of groynes, the artificial sea walls as part of the upcoming port, was one of the reasons for the increasing coastal erosion.

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