THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fishermen have been left with lesser space to berth vessels as the Vizhinjam fishing port and its surroundings have been facing the menace of sea erosion this week. The new Vizhinjam International Seaport was at the receiving end as environmental activists blame it on the groyne field constructed for the project. The fishermen claim that high waves from North are reverted by the groyne field into the fishing harbour located on the Northern-end inundating beaches.
"If this is going to be the case, in two-three years, there won't be any fishing harbour here. This will result in loss of livelihood. The sand eroded from Vizhinjam will be accumulated at the mouth of the harbour. Then frequent dredging would be needed," said Robert Panipilla, Chief Coordinator of the NGO Friends for Marine Life.
Over the last few years, independent marine researchers have alleged that the harbour will result in the destruction of shores as far as Anchuthengu. They estimate that 20,000 people, mostly fishermen will be affected by the port project. "In past decades the shoreline as far as Poonthura was affected by the Vizhinjam Fishing harbour. The ill-effects will be much more once the new seaport will become reality. Only one-fifth of reclamation as a part of the new port has come up." Mr Panipilla added.As per the plans, the upcoming Vizhinjam port would handle cargo of up to 2.26 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) by 2022.
