The  New Indian Express , 01 October 2005

Tsunami leaves behind an ecologically frail Kerala coast

KOCHI: Nine months have passed since the dreaded tsunami devoured the Kerala coasts. Apart from the massive destruction caused to property and the tragic loss of human lives, the natural catastrophe has also left behind an ecological legacy that will further cripple the lives of the tsunami survivors.

A recent study conducted by the School of Environment Studies (SES), CUSAT, along the tsunami-ravaged Kollam-Alappuzha coastline, has produced some very distressing findings. Environment experts have found massive ecological and biological imbalances in this fragile zone.

A ‘water quality assessment study’ was conducted at Alappad panchayat, Arattuppuzha panchayat, Andhakaranazhi, Edavanakad and Cherai.

The Kollam-Alappuzha coastline, which extends up to the topographically similar Edavanakad in Ernakulam district, is a narrow strip of land spanning just 50 to 250 metres.

Seawater (saline) inundation has caused ecological havoc on this narrow coastline. The inundation has resulted in the irreparable degeneration of several freshwater plants and trees.

‘‘Fruit-bearing trees like the jack, mango and tamarind trees and arecanut palm have been destroyed due to saline water inundation. Leaves of coconut palms ripened and wilted after the tsunami, but later recovered at the onset of the summer season. Barring a few Tepsinias (poovarash), other trees on the coastline have almost dried up. Saline inundation destroys the fruit-bearing capacity of trees,’’ said V. Sivanandan Achari, faculty, SES and principal investigator of the project.

The destruction has not limited itself to trees alone. All wells and fresh water sources on the coast showed high salinity levels. The residents pumped out water from these wells some six to seven times, but that did not really lower the salinity levels.

However, salinity measurements recorded in the post-monsoon periods have reflected a considerable decrease in the salt content levels. Water body eutrophication (biologically dead water bodies) is also rampant on the coastline. Eutrophication will permanently degrade the quality of water in the source.

Another serious matter observed is the gradual subsidence of geological formations along the coastline. ‘‘The land plates in the coastal region are slowly caving in due to sub-soil movement and erosion. This phenomenon has resulted in soil erosion and a gradual sea-surge. Exploitation of the water table and exhaustive ground water mining for decades together, are the reasons for subsidence. Authorities must seriously take note of this matter,’’ said P.M. Alex, an environment expert, who participated in the project.

Improper burial of organic debris has caused further degeneration of tube wells and water bodies. At some places in the coastal areas, tube wells still pump out brown stinking water.

^ Massive ecological and biological imbalances in Kollam- Alappuzha coast

^ Irreparable degeneration of several freshwater plants and trees

^ Degeneration of fresh water sources

^ Water body eutrophication rampant

^ Gradual subsidence of geological formation along the coast .