Puducherry Port Disaster Port Disaster Puducherry A Man- -Made - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Puducherry Port Disaster Port Disaster Puducherry A Man- -Made - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Oct 12, 2023 134 likes •472 views

Puducherry Port Disaster Port Disaster Puducherry A Man- -Made Tsunami Made Tsunami A Man Coastal Erosion at Puducherry Puducherry Coastal Erosion at & neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu & neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu

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SLIDE 1

Puducherry Puducherry Port Disaster Port Disaster A Man A Man-

  • Made Tsunami

Made Tsunami

Coastal Erosion at Coastal Erosion at Puducherry Puducherry & neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu & neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network February 2007

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Once upon a time … Pondicherry had a beautiful beach

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 3

Nature’s gift to the citizens of Pondicherry

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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OUR BEACH…

  • Protected us from cyclones and tsunamis.
  • Prevented our ground water from becoming saline.
  • Supported the livelihood of fishermen.
  • Was natural recreational spaces.
  • And an essential part of the natural ecosystem.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 5

Then a harbour was built……and neglected

Harbour entrance North

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Pondy was never the same …a precious gift was lost.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 7

How did we lose our beach?

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 8

There is a natural movement of sand along the coastline

3 months a year 0.1 million cu. m of sand moves southwards. 9 months a year 0.6 million cu. m of sand moves northwards.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 9

The harbour breakwater blocks the natural movement of sand.

Sand blocked by harbour seawall The disappearing coastline of Pondy Seawall

  • bstructing sand

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 10

Satelite image of Puducherry coastline (Year 2000) Eroded coastline Blocked sand

This sand has accumulated south of the breakwaters

Harbour

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Because of this harbour, Puducherry has lost approximately 9 million cu.m of sand (about 1.5 million lorry loads)

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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How is this erosion affecting Puducherry?

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 13

Sand bar protected us from big waves

Waves break on sand bar

As sand bar has eroded the waves crash on to the road

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 14
  • Salt water is intruding into ground water
  • Town has no protection from cyclones and tsunamis
  • Our coastal environment is fast degrading

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Waves spilling over seawall during cyclone - 2000

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Le Café destroyed due to beach erosion.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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What has been done to solve this problem?

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 18

An artificial seawall was built along the coast

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Dumping rocks is only a temporary measure

  • They sink in the soft sand.
  • This work has to continue forever.
  • Requires huge sums of our money.
  • Does not protect us from big waves.
  • Aggravates erosion and hinders regeneration of the beach.

Is this sustainable?

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 20

More than 7 kms of Coastline has eroded in 17 years in Puducherry and Tamilnadu

7 kms Satellite image of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu coastline.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Coastal erosion is advancing at 350 m/year Many villages in Tamil Nadu have been affected

March 2002 (3 months later) July 2002 Kottakupam, Tamil Nadu

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Affected villages in Tamil Nadu – Year 2002

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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The speed of erosion

Destruction of homes…. livelihoods nature 1st August ‘02 8th August ‘02

… a week later

A house and trees… …turned into rubble and lost.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 24

Widespread destruction Parking space for traditional fishing crafts…. is lost.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Seawall ends in Pondy… problem begins in Tamil Nadu

Thanthirayan Kuppam Sea Wall

Erosion now affecting Thantirayan Kuppam, Tamil Nadu, Villupuram Tk.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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IMPACTS OF COASTAL EROSION

  • Destruction and loss of property.
  • Water scarcity / contamination.
  • Loss of livelihoods for fishermen.
  • Degradation of fertile agricultural land.
  • Exposes the town to cyclones.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 27

Studies by experts conclude that A harbour should be avoided in Puducherry

“…there are certain faults along this coast of Puducherry indicating chains of tectonically induced environmental problems such as ground water logging, coastal zone flooding, storm surges, harbor sedimentation etc”. “…construction of harbour must be avoided as the sedimentation will be a problem in the concave of Pondicherry coast.”

  • Dr. S.M. Ramasamy et al., 2001.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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The New Threat !

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Proposal to construct a new Deep Water Port TEN TIMES bigger

Existing harbour Proposed harbour At least 10 times bigger

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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Citizens’Concerns

If the existing harbor is so devastating… what will happen with a port 10 times bigger?

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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More concerns…

  • Project is being proposed without assessing sand movement.
  • The 9 million cu.m of sand required for rehabilitation of the beach

is being given to the developer for reclaiming land for their project.

  • Government (citizens) will bear the cost of maintaining the eroded beach.
  • Technical and economic viability of the project is questionable.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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SLIDE 32

Does Puducherry need a development that will

  • Benefit only a few
  • Endanger our lives
  • Pollute our town and sea
  • Damage our envrionment
  • Change the soul of our town

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007

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With its rich cultural and spiritual heritage Puducherry should be a model for an integrated development that is holistic, sustainable and eco-friendly.

Pondicherry Citizens Action Network – February 2007