Kerala Dredging Project Sparks Ecological Alarms

Environmentalists in Kerala are calling for a halt to the suspended dredging project at the Korapuzha estuary until a thorough scientific assessment is completed. The Society for the Protection of Environment, Kerala (SPEK) has submitted a memorandum to the district administration, emphasizing the potential for serious ecological and coastal repercussions.

SPEK advocates for the formation of an expert committee, including marine ecology specialists and community representatives, to scrutinize the proposal to deepen the estuary. This demand follows a recent meeting where authorities decided to restart the dredging work, which initially began in 2024 after administrative approval in 2022. The project involves dredging a 1,600-meter stretch.

Further concerns involve allegations that dredged spoil was not removed properly, with only sand extracted and silt left behind. SPEK claims this dumping has facilitated the extraction of naturally occurring beach sand, which is more valuable than the auctioned spoil rate. The organization also noted that pits from sand extraction were later filled with waste and debris, and that previous resident protests had led to a temporary suspension of activities.

Referencing a 2008 IIT Madras study that recommended a seawall instead of dredging, SPEK argues that the project could disrupt natural coastal sand movement. They stress the need for further scientific studies before the project resumes and suggest developing the Elathur-Korapuzha beach for sustainable tourism.