Sir,
This is an appeal to protest against the acquisition of land and construction of a tourism resort at Thaikadappuram, which will jeopardise turtle conservation in the area. Naithal, an organisation for coastal information conservation and action, was established in the year, 2001. Prior to its establishment, a group of youth were active in environmental issues of the area especially against sand mining in the coastal areas of Kanhangad municipality, and Nileshwar Grama Panchayat of Kasaragod District, Kerala. The organisation came into being as a result of their aspiration to give such activities a structured form. The organisation won the battle against sand mining in the area that comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone Act. The tangible consequence of preserving pure drinking water enabled it to get the wholehearted support of the locals. However, there is a new problem. The constructions of the tourist resort at Ozhinhavalappu in Kanhangad Municipality, Kasaragod District is a site where olive ridley turtles nest in greatest abundance. Beach lighting and tourists are sure to prevent turtles from nesting at this site. Interestingly, the construction is very close to the high tide line, whereas permission is not granted for poor fishermen to construct houses in the zone.
Further, no Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out while starting such a huge project in this ecologically sensitive area. The exploitation of drinking water will be another major threat; this is one of the few coastal areas in Kerala where the ground water is not saline. We appeal to you, to protest against construction of this resort so that this breeding site may be saved. Kindly make your appeal (with a copy to us) to:
Sudheer Kumar
Naithal (Coastal Information Conservation and Action) Reg No. 814/03
Thaikadappuram P.0., Nileshwaram Via, Kasaragod Dist., Kerala – 671314
Email: sudheer_nlr @yahoo.com
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