Proposal to combat sea erosion in Sirkazhi fishing villages

Joint Director of Fisheries (Nagapattinam) D. Ilamvazhuthi, along with engineers from the Fishing Harbour Project Division and Water Resources Department, conducting a survey of the Sellanar estuary in Sirkazhi.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A proposal has been prepared to address the problem of sea erosion and related infrastructure challenges in Sirkazhi’s fishing villages by the Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department.

Five fishing villages in Sirkazhi-Manavamedu, Pudukuppam, Nayakkar Kuppam, Keezhamuvarkarai, and Melamuvarkarai lack protected beach landing facilities, forcing fishermen to use unsafe docking methods. Several boats have been damaged because of high waves and has left nearly 3,000 fishermen unable to sustain their livelihood.

During a recent visit, Mayiladuthurai Member of Parliament R. Sudha assured fishermen of long-term solutions, including the construction of rock barriers and groynes, strengthening the Sellanar rivermouth and deepening the Buckingham Canal. These measures align with the District Climate Action Plan (DCAP), which emphasises the need to protect coastal ecosystems and habitats.

Following this, Joint Director of Fisheries Nagapattinam in-charge D. Ilamvazhuthi, along with engineers from the Fishing Harbour Project Division and Water Resources Department, inspected the affected areas on Wednesday. The team conducted a survey of the Sellanar river mouth, which frequently gets closed because of the absence of training wall.

D. Rajkumar, Executive Engineer of the Fishing Harbour Project Division, Nagapattinam, said: “A proposal has been prepared for several interventions, including the construction of training wall at the Sellanar river mouth, strengthening and deepening the Buckingham Canal, installation of groynes to mitigate erosion and the establishment of net mending sheds and fish drying platforms. The detailed proposal will be submitted to the State government to secure funding.”